Kashmir reports second COVID-19 death, 5 new positive cases; J&K tally now 38

Srinagar, Mar 29 (GNS): Kashmir Valley reported its second death due to COVID-19 on Sunday along with five new cases. The Valley has now reported 29 COVID-19 patients and Jammu and Kashmir’s tally now stand at 38—three each in winter capital of J&K, Rajouri and Udhampur districts.

The deceased was been identified as a sexagenarian man from Tangmarg area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. He died at Chest Disease hospital at around 4 a.m.

“The hospital had sent his samples for testing and came back positive for COVID-19 on Saturday,” a doctor at CD hospital said. He had been referred to CD hospital from SMHS hospital.  

“He was put on a ventilator yesterday evening. The patient was suffering from liver ailment,” the doctor said.

On Thursday last, a 65-year-old from Hyderpora died of the disease, making it the first case of death due to Coronavirus.

“5 more positives cases confirmed in Kashmir -2 from Srinagar, 2 Budgam, 1 Baramulla,” Principal Secretary, Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, Rohit Kansal said in a tweet.

Official sources told Global News Service (GNS) that five fresh cases which were reported include 26-year-old resident of Hawal Srinagar, 17-year-old from Kanidajan Budgam, 26-year-old from Charar-e-Sherief, a 29-year old man from Sioteng Padshah Bagh Srinagar and the fifth one is said to be a security personnel who is from outside Jammu and Kashmir. 

Three of them had returned from New Delhi between 18 and 22 March while man from Soiteng has been part of Tablighi Jamaat and it was not immediately known how he contracted the disease, they said. The trooper is said to have returned around two weeks ago and is posted in Srinagar, they added. 

Meanwhile, spokespersons of CRPF and army said that no one from CRPF or army tested positive.

Meanwhile, sources said 31 more persons with covid-19 symptoms were admitted to SKIMS Soura today.

Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS, Dr G H Yatoo said that all tests which were awaited come out to be negative.

Dr Salim Khan, Nodal Officer for coronavirus for GMC Srinagar, told GNS that 78 persons with coronavirus-like symptoms were admitted at CD hospital.

All the five persons who tested positive today are admitted in CD hospital and their reports where received along with forty other persons. “In all 45 test reports were received and 40 of them came out to be negative,” sources said, adding, “86 test reports are awaited at CD hospital.”

Meanwhile, Rohit Kansal, who is also the J&K Govt Spokesperson, said that a couple from Srinagar who tested positive yesterday hid international travel history and such people are putting entire society to risk.  

“Contact tracing teams reporting that despite so many appeals people still hiding travel histories. Couple which tested positive in Srinagar yesterday hid international travel history. This is criminal,” he said. “Please note- an entire society is being put at risk”.

The Government informed that 6465 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance so far.

As per the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus, 3260 persons have been kept under home quarantine (including facilities operated by Govt.) while as 307 are in hospital quarantine.

Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 2163 while as 735 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

It said that 588 samples have been sent for testing of which 542 tested as negative. 38 people have tested positive and among them two have recovered and as many others have died.  (GNS)