Fear grips Pulwama village as first COVID-19 case emerges

SRINAGAR — An unprecedented gloom dawned over Drusoo village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday evening after a 32-year-old woman tested positive for novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

Even the few shops that were open to provide essential items to people got closed. The streets wore a deserted look. People started calling each other to make sure they were alright.

Initially, residents of the village doubted the veracity of the news. As soon as the village head made an announcement, asking people not to step out of their homes, panic ensued.

Soon, officials also started patrolling the village, repeatedly urging people to stay indoors.

“It was really scary. Although we weren’t going out earlier as well, now it’s even more important to stay indoors,” a local resident, Nazir Ahmad, said.

He added, “We have seen lot of happenings in our lives but this thing is really different. More than myself, I’m worried about the well-being of my family.”

The fear isn’t just limited to the relatives and neighbours of the infected person. “I have asked myself a number of times if I had come into the contact of the infected person. Although I’m sure I haven’t because I haven’t stepped out of my house for many days,” said another local, Mushtaq Ahmad.

“The best thing we can do right now is to stay inside and pray to the Almighty and seek His help,” he added.