Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir government today said that an effective lockdown with the cooperation of people has helped in preventing the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the Union Territory while informing that there are 614 total cases so far.
The UT government said that 33 fresh cases were reported today, all from Kashmir.
The government, however, said that even “a small premature celebration” can cost the J&K dearly and that an extreme level of alertness needs to be maintained on all fronts which include wearing a mask and maintaining a proper social distancing while going out.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, the government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said that 33 new cases have been tested positive today and the total number of positive cases in the UT has reached 614.
“Of these, 390 cases are active in Kashmir and 6 are active in Jammu region. There are 216 recoveries so far and unfortunately, there were eight deaths too,” he said.
Kansal said that so far 70,000 people have been enlisted for the surveillance and 50,000 have completed the mandatory quarantine period.
“Let me tell you that doubling rate of the positive cases has slowed down. The number of days it takes cases to double have increased. Our mortality rate is just above 1 per cent which is quite low,” he said. “More than 90 per cent of our cases are traceable and we can trace the source. Over 80 per cent of cases asymptomatic.”
He said this all was possible due to the wholehearted cooperation of people in enforcing the lockdown.
“This has helped us to slowdown the spread of virus,” Kansal said. “We have 17 Covid hospitals in J&K and we have been following aggressive testing strategy,” Kansal said adding that at present, the J&K’s testing rate is 1500 per million and the next target is 2000 per million, one of the highest in the country.
“Our current position appears to be comfortable but there is a note of caution. We are dealing with highly unpredictable disease. Even a premature celebration can cost us dearly,” he said.
He said J&K will further strengthen surveillance system and procedure. Kansal said that J&K will be doing 100 per cent health audit in entire J&K, the first ever in the country. “The audit will be completed within 10 days,” he said.
He urged people to wear masks and maintain social distancing while going out. “J&K government is procuring 1.2 crore masks, a total of which 40 lakh are being distributed. Masks will be available at subsidised rates and people should make use of it,” Kansal said.
In another development, the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council today approved Rs 350 crore relief package for people affected due to lockdown. Principal Secretary (Planning and Information), Rohit Kansal, said that the Lieutenant Governor has earmarked Rs 350 Crore for every section of society including houseboat owners, shikara wallas, pony wallas, students under mid-day meal scheme, labourers, street vendors, free refills of gas cylinders, etc.
