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Five-day-old infant is youngest Covid-19 patient in J&K

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A five-day-old baby in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district tested positive for coronavirus today, taking doctors by surprise, health officials said. The infant has become the youngest Covid-19 patient in J&K as yet.

This also comes on a day when health experts raised an alarm over what they claimed as ‘community transmission’ of Covid-19 in Jammu and Kashmir.

They said the newborn baby girl has become the youngest Covid-19 patient in UT, triggering a series of questions on whether the baby got infected with the virus in the womb of her mother, who was already positive, or after birth. The doctors have not come with any explanation so far.

A doctor claimed that the baby tested positive for the virus at Chest Diseases hospital, a few days after her mother was tested positive for the virus.

Block Medical Officer (BMO) Qaimoh, Kulgam, Dr Abdul Gani said that they were taken by surprise to hear that a newborn baby has tested positive. “Both, mother and the baby are asymptomatic and are undergoing treatment at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag,” he said.

The doctor said that the frequent visits of pregnant ladies to hospitals and clinics are making them more vulnerable to Covid-19 and as seen today, newborn babies are also getting infected now, which is worrisome. To recall, a few days ago, a 20-day-old baby from Satwari area of Jammu had tested positive.

Official figures suggest that there is around 20 percent of Covid-19 positive patients in J&K who are between the age group of 0-19. However, none of this age group has died here so far.

Associate Professor Medicine GMC Srinagar, Dr Nisarul Hassan said that as of now, there is no evidence to suggest that a baby can get infected within the womb of his/her mother.

“It seems that newborn transmits the virus soon after birth while behind handled by the Covid infected mother. The virus gets transmitted during handling within 24 to 48 hours. Second, to find out whether the baby transmits the virus within the mother’s womb, there is a need to test the placental tissue, Cord sampling, or amniotic fluid sampling of the Covid positive mother. If maternal fetus transmission is proved, then that’s a disaster,” Dr Nisar said.

He, however, said mother’s milk doesn’t carry the virus for the newborn.

EAM Jaishankar lists India’s priorities ahead of key UNSC elections on Jun 17

Jaishankar

New Delhi (NVI): India today laid out its priorities for its candidature for the UN Security Council 2021-22, with the Government saying that it can play a positive role in this “extraordinary situation” as the global community is facing multiple challenges amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

While launching India’s campaign to secure an elected seat on the UN Security Council, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar listed out the countries priorities ahead of the June 17 UNSC elections.

Notably, India is a candidate for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term beginning in January 2021.

Jaishankar said this election will take place at the United Nations on June 17 and India is the single endorsed candidate from its regional group.

As India expects to be elected for an eighth term on the UNSC this month, the EAM launched a brochure setting out India’s five key priorities for its campaign to secure the seat:

  • Seeking responsible and inclusive solutions
  • Concrete and result-oriented action at the Security Council for an effective response to international terrorism
  • Reformed Multilateralism to reflect contemporary realities
  • A comprehensive approach to peace and security, guided by dialogue, mutual respect, commitment to international law, for which we also hope to help streamline UN Peacekeeping
  • Technology with a human touch

“In this extraordinary situation, India can play a positive global role. We have always been a voice of reason and a votary of international law. We advocate dialogue, consultation and fairness in our approach to global issues. And we emphasize global development, addressing climate change and eradicating poverty as central to planet’s future,” he said.

Jaishankar also said that these priorities, in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words, reflect India’s Five “S” approach to the world:

  • Samman (Respect)
  • Samvad (Dialogue)
  • Sahyog (Cooperation)
  • Shanti (Peace); to create conditions for universal
  • Samriddhi (Prosperity)

He further added, “Through this approach, we seek to move toward a ‘New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System’, – also known as NORMS.”

Apart from this, the External Affairs Minister also said that India is facing four “very different challenges” to international peace and security, ten years since we were last elected in the UN Security Council:

  • The normal process of international governance has been under increasing strain as frictions have increased.
  • Traditional and non-traditional security challenges continue to grow unchecked. Terrorism is the most egregious of such examples.
  • Global institutions remain unreformed and under-representative. They are therefore less able to deliver.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic and its grave economic repercussions will test the world like never before.

COVID cases in Afghanistan climb to 18,969, death toll at 309

New Delhi (NVI): The Afghan authorities confirmed 915 new coronavirus cases in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 18,969, according to Afghan media reports.

In the past 24 hours, nine patients have died due to COVID-19 virus in the country.

Among the fresh cases, 423 were reported in Kabul, the country’s hardest-hit area.

In addition, 201 positive cases were reported in Herat, 116 in Balkh, 29 in Kunduz, 23 in Kunar, 21 in Farah, 21 in Sar-e-Pul, 21 in Kandahar, 20 in Helmand, 15 in Samangan.

Likewise, eleven cases in Paktia, seven in Nangarhar, four in Wardak, and three in Laghman.

Apart from this, among total deaths reported in last 24 hours, two were in Herat, three in Balkh, two in Samangan and two in Kunduz, as per media reports.

Meanwhile, Afghan officials have been outraged by the public’s un violation of the lockdown and preventive measures towards the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Public Health said, 45,139 people have been tested for coronavirus in the country so far.

At least, 1,763 people have recovered while 309 died from the respiratory disease in Afghanistan.

Bangladesh COVID-19 tally exceeds 60,000; 811 dead

Bangladesh lockdown

New Delhi (NVI): Bangladesh reported spike in coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours with the detection of 2,828 new cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 60,391.

The country also recorded a total of 30 death due to the novel coronavirus during this period, raising the death tally to 811, according to United News of Bangladesh.

So far, a total of 12,804 people have recovered from the deadly contagion, after 643 more patients made recovery.

The recovery rate in the country is at 21.20 per cent while the mortality rate is at 1.34 per cent today.

In addition to this, 50 coronavirus testing laboratories across the country tested the highest ever 14,088 samples in the last 24 hours.

278 new COVID-19 cases reported in Nepal, tally at 2,912

New Delhi (NVI): Nepal reported 278 new cases of coronavirus today, taking the national tally to 2,912, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, “Of the infected, 2,717 are males and 195 are females.”

Among the new cases, 90 were tested in Dailekh, 44 in Kapilvastu, 21 in Sunsari, 17 each in Mahottari and Ramechhap, 12 in Jhapa, seven in Jumla, six each in Morang and Rautahat, five each in Kavre, Bhojpur and Dadeldhura.

Similarly, four each in Kailali and Dhanusha, three in Bara, two each in Kathmandu, Sindhuli, Tanahu and Nawalparasi (East), and one each in Arghakhanchi, Dang, Palpa, Surkhet, Achham and Bajhang and tested positive for the virus at different laboratories across the country, as per media reports.

Apart from this, 43 COVID-19 patients from various parts of the country returned home after recovery today alone.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s COVID-19 death toll climbed to 11 today. A 20-year-old youth from Panchapuri Municipality-1, Hansegaun, in Surkhet district has succumbed to COVID-19 infection.

The young man had returned home earlier on Wednesday after staying at a quarantine facility for 14 days.

So far, 333 patients have been cured from the virus and discharged.

Coronavirus cases surpass 90,000 mark in Pakistan

(Image source: Dawn.com)

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan have now surpassed China in the total number of coronavirus cases, the first epicentre of the disease, recording around 3,500 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 90,290 with at least 1,838 fatalities.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 34,557 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 33,144 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 11,890 cases, Balochistan is at 5,582, Gilgit-Baltistan at 852, Islamabad at 3,946 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 299 cases so far, according to Geo News.

So far, 31,198 people have fully recovered from the deadly contagion in the country.

Reportedly, this is the third consecutive day when a record number of cases were reported in Pakistan after the Eid holidays and easing of lockdown restrictions at the end of May.

Govt launches ‘Nagar Van’ scheme to develop 200 Urban Forests

Prakash Javadekar at the launch of 'Nagar Van' scheme

New Delhi (NVI): On the occasion of the World Environment Day today, the government launched ‘Nagar Van’ scheme to develop 200 Urban Forests across the country in the next five years, the Ministry of Environment said.

The scheme has been launched with a renewed focus on people’s participation and collaboration between Forest Department, Municipal bodies, NGOs, Corporates and local citizens, the ministry said in a statement.

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year. This year’s theme is ‘Biodiversity’.

The ministry held virtual celebrations of World Environment Day on this year’s theme with focus on Nagar Van (Urban Forests), in view of the prevalent situation due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Releasing a brochure on the best practices on Urban Forests and announcing the Nagar Van scheme, Union Environment Minister, Prakash Javadekar said that these forests will work as lungs of the cities and will primarily be on the forest land in the City or any other vacant land offered by local urban local bodies.

Stressing on this year’s theme i.e. “Time for Nature” with special focus on biodiversity, Javadekar said “thumb rule is that if we protect nature, nature protects us”.

A film was also played during the Environment Day Celebrations here today which narrates how the initiatives of Punaikars along with Forest Department and local body has converted 16.8 ha of a barren hill into green forests. Today, the forest is rich in biodiversity with 23 plant species, 29 bird species, 15 butterfly species, 10 reptiles and 3 mammal species. This Urban Forest project is now helping maintain ecological balance, serving both environmental and social needs. The Warje Urban Forest is now a role model for the rest of the country, the Ministry said in a release.

Stressing on this year’s focus on Biodiversity the Environment Minister said ,“India has 8 percent of world’s biodiversity, despite having many constraint like only 2.5 % of the world’s landmass, has to carry 16% of human as well as cattle population and having only 4% of fresh water sources; the mega biodiversity that we have is the result of Indian ethos which is to be in sync with the nature.”

India is endowed with rich biodiversity having several species of animals and plants and hosts 4 of the 35 global bio-diversity hotspots containing several endemic species, the Ministry said.

However, increasing population, deforestation, urbanisation and industrialisation have put our natural resources under tremendous pressure causing loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity is vital for survival of all life form on this planet and is a key to providing various ecological services. Biodiversity conservation has traditionally been considered confined to remote forest areas but with increasing urbanisation a need has arisen to safeguard and save biodiversity in urban areas also. Urban forest is the best way to bridge this gap.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has therefore, appropriately adopted Nagar van as the theme of WED celebrations 2020 to promote and conserve biodiversity in urban landscapes.

Army soldier killed in Pak firing along LoC in J&K’s Rajouri

Ceasefire
Representational image

Jammu (NVI): An Indian Army soldier was killed after Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani Sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, a senior defence official said today.

The soldier, identified as Hav Mathiazhagan P was critically injured in the firing from the Pakistani side late yesterday. “The soldier was evacuated to Army Hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries,” said defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand.

He said that Hav Mathiazhagan P belonged to Salem district in Tamil Nadu and was a brave and highly motivated soldier.

The India Army also responded strongly to the ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops, he added.

In the same district yesterday, a terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces at Mehari village.

Earlier on June 1, a major infiltration bid was foiled by the Army at the LoC in Nowshehra sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, when three heavily armed terrorists were killed.

Fiji declares itself coronavirus free

New Delhi (NVI): Fiji, the Pacific nation, declared itself coroanvirus free after the country’s last known infected patient recovered today.

Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, took to Twitter and attributed the country’s virus-free status to “answered prayers, hard work, and affirmation of science”.

He tweeted, “Fiji has just cleared the last of our active COVID-19 patients. And even with our testing numbers climbing by the day, it’s now been 45 days since we recorded our last case. With no deaths, our recovery rate is 100 per cent.”

Ever since the coronavirus outbreak hit the island nation, a total of 18 cases were reported till now who have all recovered whereas the country recorded no casualties.

Notably, Fiji imposed lockdown in certain areas in April and also put in place border restrictions to keep the number of infected people in check.

J&K records 36th Covid death as cases surge over 3000, medicos ring alarm bells

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A day after the highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir since the outbreak of pandemic in the Union Territory, a 65-year-old woman from Srinagar has been tested positive a day after her death, taking the total fatalities in the UT to 36. With this, the tally of confirmed cases in J&K has climbed to 3,143.

Medical Superintendent of Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital Srinagar, Dr Nazir Choudhary said that an elderly woman from Batamaloo area of Srinagar was admitted in the hospital last morning with underlying medical conditions. “She had pneumonia and other ailments. She breathed her last late Thursday afternoon after which her samples were taken for Covid testing and her body was kept in a mortuary,” Dr Choudhary said.

He said the samples of the woman came as positive for the Covid-19 early this morning. With the fresh death, the total number of Covid deaths in J&K has reached 36 of which 32 were recorded in Kashmir and four in Jammu.

The fresh death comes a day after J&K witnessed the highest number of Covid positive cases—285, which also included a journalist and 20 pregnant women. This was the highest ever single-day spike in cases since the pandemic outbreak in J&K.

The senior medicos have already hinted that the situation may go from bad to worse as they claimed there was a ‘community transmission’ of Covid-19 in J&K now. Dr Naveed Nazir, Head of the Department (HoD) Chest diseases, who was at the forefront of Covid-19 fight and tested positive for the virus a few days ago, today tweeted: “So many positives detected each day. where r v going to keep them and their families/contacts. Do v have to alter our strategy… testing and quarantine.”

Associate Professor, Medicine, at the Governor Medical College (GMC) Srinagar and the only flu expert in Kashmir, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan said: “We are already in community transmission because cases have swelled to a large extent. A case in point is large number of pregnant women are falling prey to this pandemic. They don’t have travel history of contact with the infected person. This means we are already in community transmission. What else can I call it,” he said.

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