Nodal officer for COVID19 at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar Dr. S Saleem Khan said 14 patients suspected of COVID19 infection were admitted to the isolation facility of the medical college on Thursday, while four more were admitted on Friday. He said that the coronavirus testing laboratory of GMC had tested 14 samples, reports of which were received today and found to be negative. Four more reports, he said, were awaited.
Among these, he said, two samples were from two contacts of the single COVID19 positive patient in Kashmir.
At SKIMS, seven samples were tested for COVID19, all found to be negative. Two of these were from two contacts of the coronavirus positive patient. No sample reports were awaited at the Institute, medical superintendent Dr. Farooq Jan said.
The Government media bulletin issued today informed that 3330 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation and, so far, only four cases have tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the bulletin, 2465 persons have been kept under home quarantine while 44 are in hospital quarantine.
Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 416 while 405 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.
The bulletin further said that 186 samples have been sent for testing of which 178 tested as negative and only four cases have tested positive, while four reports are awaited.
Meanwhile, a 24×7 toll-free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982 (Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (Kashmir Division).
The government has appealed that any person with travel history to COVID-19 affected countries or persons in contact with such a traveler, whether they are having symptoms or not, must remain in 14 days home quarantine. If any person feels unwell having cough, fever or difficulty in breathing that person should avoid exposure to others and seek medical care at the earliest.
The Government has also urged the general public to maintain social distancing as it is the key to stop and prevent the spread of Covid-19 from those who are infected.
“The intervention includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible,” the government advisory said.
Further, the Government has appealed people to not panic and take care of health and protect others.
“Avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent handwashing with soap and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.
The advisory also calls upon the general public to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the Government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.
