COVID-19: Rapid rise in cases due to aggressive testing, CS says

JAMMU — As the number of cases being tested positive across J&K rose to 33 today, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today appealed people to stay calm and not panic.

In a message, Mr. Subrahmanyam said the J&K Government has undertaken an aggressive testing campaign to detect COVID-19 positive cases as a result of which there is an increase in the number.

He said the latest five positive cases today – 2 in Srinagar and 3 in Jammu – are all contacts of prior positives and are asymptomatic which would have never been known for upto two weeks and would have infected hundreds subsequently.

The Chief Secretary said the testing rate in J&K is over 10% of those under surveillance which is higher than States like Kerala. He said medical capacities, response mechanism and other parameters are being quietly ramped up.

Hoping that J&K would overcome the crisis, the Chief Secretary complimented the frontline health workers, field administration and volunteers who are resolutely fighting on the ground to defeat the pandemic.