Restrictions remain in force in Kashmir, sampling of coronavirus suspects increased

Healthcare professionals have increased scientific sampling and testing of coronavirus suspects across Kashmir region which has seen a surge in cases of virus.

A total of 14 new cases of COVID-19 positive were detected in Kashmir on Sunday, raising total number of positive cases in union territory to 106. While two patients have died, four have recovered while ar seven have tested negative after undergoing treatment. se patients will undergo ar test before y will be discharged from hospital.

Health authorities here said Jammu and Kashmir Government has established COVID-19 hospitals which are working round--clock and performing sample testing swiftly. Director, Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Mattoo said Government established eight hospitals in Kashmir and three in Jammu -- exclusively for COVID-19 cases.

“All our eight COVID-19 hospitals are performing well and we have been able to reach out to people with some sort of relief amid this healthcare crisis,” Dr Mattoo said, ding “we have also directed our staff to remain on 24X7 shifts for any exigency”.

He said Government has taken a slew of measures in terms of screening of people particularly inbound travellers, surveillance and quarantine, isolation of suspects and is continuously monitoring situation on a minute-to-minute basis. He said healthcare professionals have been able to increase scientific sampling and testing of suspects across Kashmir region.

“Earlier, we were able to collect 70 samples, w we go for up to 150 a day. We are also waiting for some equipment and important rents from ICMR. We have so far got seven sophisticated machines for testing and we will be again procuring few more,” he said.

Meanwhile, strict restrictions on movement of people in Kashmir to contain spre of coronavirus remained in force on Monday. Security forces sealed off main ros in valley and erected barriers at several places to check unwanted movement of people and to enforce lockdown, officials said.

markets across valley were shut and public transport was off ros with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to open, y ded. Educational institutions across Kashmir have been closed, while all public places including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants have been shut down more than a week before nationwide lockdown anunced by Prime Minister.

While Prime Minister anunced country-wide lockdown on evening of March 24, union territory ministration here h on March 22 anunced a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir till 31 March as part of its efforts to curb spre of coronavirus.

ministration said essential services including healthcare personnel have been exempted from restrictions.

Restrictions were first imposed in many parts of valley on March 19 to contain spre of virus infection. measures were taken after a 67-year-old woman from Khanyar area of city, who h returned on 16 March from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, tested positive for COVID-19 infection.

(Photo credit: PTI)