E-Paper
J&K’s Covid positivity rate drops to 0.3%
As the Covid positivity rate has reached to 0
As the Covid positivity rate has reached to 0.3% in J&K, the UT administration doesn’t want to take any chances, especially when there is every possibility of third wave hitting the country.
Currently, there are 2,076 active positive cases in 20 districts of the UT, 18 of which have already been named under ‘Green Zone’ with most of the activities already restored.
In May, there were more than 50,000 active positive cases in J&K.
Now, a slew of measures are being taken to keep the disease under control which has already consumed 4,363 lives with most of the deaths taking place in Srinagar and Jammu districts.
On Friday, J&K’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had done a district-wise assessment of the situation with the Covid task force, deputy commissioners, and superintendents of police. Sinha had instructed the officials to increase RT-PCR testing in areas with high positivity rate, besides telling officials that micro-containment zones at panchayat levels will play a major role in tackling the situation.
Sinha directed the officials to be well prepared in advance to deal with the possible third wave of coronavirus or any future health emergencies.
“Health experts have cautioned the world against the third wave of Covid. We need to be vigilant and put our all-out efforts to save precious lives by intensifying vaccination drives, increasing testing, improving contact tracing, ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour being followed by the people, besides focusing on improvements in all critical factors of preventive care, effective clinical and patient care management,” Sinha had told the officers.
Sinha also directed the DCs and SPs to ensure adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour, following of Covid protocols like wearing masks, and implementation of restrictions a guidelines in their respective districts, especially in tourist places.
Since the pandemic started, the overall cases in J&K have reached 3,19,755. Atal Dulloo, additional chief secretary, health and medical education department, said the positivity rate in J&K has reduced to 0.3%. “Besides, 18 districts are in Green Zone as per new set indicators with 99% population in 45 and above age group is now vaccinated with first dose,” he added.
The government has already imposed restrictions on the day picnickers at top tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg after visitors were found flouting SOPs. Across J&K, the doctors have already issued warning to people against lowering the guards with decline in the daily cases.
Officer on special duty in the health and medical education department, Dr Shafqat Khan, said that Covid threat is real and that has to be taken seriously.
“ A third wave is unavoidable in case people don’t follow SOPs. Some South-East Asian countries are already facing a third wave-like situation. Everyone should get vaccinated,” he added.
UT logs 179 new infections
Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday reported one Covid-related death and 179 fresh infections in 20 districts.
The number of patients who were cured in the UT was 277 with active positive cases falling to 2,076.
Officials said there were 112 cases in Kashmir valley, while the Jammu division saw 62 infections and one death.
Highest 59 cases were recorded in Srinagar district followed by 15 in Doda and 13 each in Jammu and Pulwama districts.
The overall number of people who have recovered has reached 3,13,375. Since the pandemic started, J&K has logged 3,19,755 total cases and the death toll has climbed to 4,363.
After the most devastating month of May, June saw 25,197 cases and 416 deaths related to the disease.
