Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): Five patients with coronavirus-like symptoms have been quarantined at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar.
These COVID-19 suspects have a recent history of travelling to coronavirus-affected countries.
Epidemiologist, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program at SKIMS, Dr Mansoor Qadri said that four had been already quarantined at the hospital on Wednesday. “A new patient has been suspected with corona flu-like symptoms. He has been isolated. He already had a history of Myocardial infarction (MI),” he said.
The samples of the suspects were collected and sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
Of the five, one had travelled to Thailand while two had been to Iran, they said, adding that the remaining two had a recent travel history to the epicentre of COVID-19 in China’s Wuhan.
Jammu and Kashmir has stepped up preparedness in order to identify the symptoms and deal promptly with the emerging infection of coronavirus.
In Jammu, two passengers with travel history to Italy and South Korea were shifted to the quarantine ward at a government medical college hospital on Wednesday.
The tests of the two persons have been sent to Delhi and symptomatic passengers have been instructed for home quarantine.
Although no positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in Kashmir, health officials said all hospitals should ensure their staff is trained, and well-prepared to deal with the virus.
The government has been issuing advisories to inform people of the precautionary measures and symptoms associated with coronavirus.
On Wednesday, JK Government appointed various officers to ramp up efforts for prevention and control of novel coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the order issued by the GAD, Bhupinder Kumar, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, shall be the overall in-charge of the coronavirus control efforts at the Union Territory level who shall work under the supervision of Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, J&K.
The order also states that Dr Shafqat Khan (designated Nodal Officer) shall work under the supervision of overall in-charge coronavirus control efforts (Mission Director, NHM).
Further, at the Divisional Level, respective Divisional Commissioners shall be the overall in-charge of coronavirus control efforts and shall be assisted by the respective Directors of Health Services.
At the District Level, Deputy Commissioners shall be the in-charge of coronavirus control efforts to be assisted by the respective Chief Medical Officers.
