Coronavirus: Two more cases test negative in Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Kashmir Valley continues to be officially Coronavirus free as two persons have tested negative.

At the same time, a senior doctor at SKIMS said on Friday that one more person with “symptoms akin to Coronavirus” has been admitted to the tertiary care hospital. “We have discharged one person and number of people kept in isolation remains five,” the medico added.

The government in the J&K UT has already claimed that it was in a state of high alertness to keep at bay the Coronavirus. So far, 230 people who have recently travelled outside are presently under surveillance in Jammu and Kashmir. Of them, 162 are in Kashmir Valley.

Dr. Shafqat Khan, designated Nodal Officer, said that two test reports were received and both have come as negative. He again stressed that there was no need to panic as the government has already taken all required measures.

The government has said it was in a state of alertness to deal with any threat emerging due to Coronavirus. On Wednesday, the government announced the COVID-19 control efforts and as part of it, the administration made Bhupinder Kumar (IAS), Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), as Overall Incharge of the Coronavirus Control Efforts at the Union territory level.

Kumar has been asked to work under the supervision of Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, J&K.

“Dr. Shafqat Khan, designated Nodal Officer, shall work under the supervision of Overall Incharge Coronavirus control efforts (Mission Director, NHM),” reads an order issued in this regard by the government.

At the Divisional level, respective Divisional Commissioners shall be the overall incharge of Coronavirus control efforts who shall be assisted by the respective Directors of Health Services.

At the District level, the order said, Deputy Commissioners shall be the Incharge of Coronavirus control efforts to be assisted by the respective Chief Medical Officers.

For the control of Coronavirus, the Apex, Divisional and District level officers have been asked to ensure detection at the Airports, Railway Stations and other entry points; create adequate quarantine, isolation and other requisite facilities and take adequate measures for surveillance of home quarantined persons. They have been asked to take all other measures required for effective control of Coronavirus.

So far, no positive case has been found in the Union territory and according to Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Planning and Monitoring and Information, the situation is being closely monitored.

“UT of J&K is in a state of alertness. The surveillance for this virus has been increased ever since the first advisory was issued by the Government of India on February 2, 2020,” Kansal said, addressing reporters in Jammu on Tuesday.