Coronavirus: Five patients quarantined at SKIMS Soura

SRINAGAR — At least five persons with Coronavirus-like symptoms were under quarantine in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura on Thursday.

Initially, there were four such patients, who were isolated by the doctors till Wednesday, as they showed the symptoms of the virus, but on Thursday this number rose to five, with one more patient, with a travel history of Iran also quarantined, after he came to Out Patient Department (OPD), with complaints of flu.

Dr Ghulam Hassan Yatoo, the In-charge Medical Superintendent (MS) SKIMS said that out of the initial four patients, two have tested negative, however, they will continue to remain quarantined till another sample also tests negative.

He said that the Institute is waiting for the results of the samples of another two patients, sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune and the results are expected within the next two or three days. He said that the four quarantined patients are male, with a travel history of China, Thailand and Iran.

Dr Yattoo said, “Another patient with symptoms of flu and a travel history of Iran, who came to the OPD of the Institute on Thursday, was also quarantined as a precautionary measure. All the patients are stable and we are taking all the measures to contain the chances of the spread of infection in the Valley.”

Meanwhile, an emergency meeting was called in SKIMS Bemina (JVC), presided over by the Principal Dr Riyaz Untoo, who constituted a team of specialists and directed them to send staff from college to the airport for screening of patients and equipped isolation with the necessary facilities.

However, sources said that although no cases of Coronavirus have been reported from the Union Territory, but Jammu and Kashmir Government has stepped up its efforts to restrict its spread here.

They said that the Health Department has issued advisories to all the hospitals to train their staff to be well-prepared to deal with the virus.

Efforts are also being put in to raise awareness among the people about the virus and to inform them to identify it and the precautionary measures to deal with the virus.

Two quarantine centres have been set up in Jammu as well as in Kashmir in Srinagar at Sanat Nagar, with all the necessary equipment and trained staff. Additional staff has been deployed at Srinagar Airport for screening the incoming passengers.

Commissioner Secretary Health, Attul Dulloo has said that there is no need to panic as no one has been detected with infection so far here, but has advised people to take all the precautionary measures and follow the instructions, they have been advised by the experts to follow, to keep safe from catching the infection.

He further said that no separate advisory has been issued to educational institutions on measures regarding Coronavirus, adding that if parents or school authorities find any virus-like symptoms, they should report it directly to the health authorities.