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J&K: 3 new Covid cases in Kashmir; 35,243 persons under observation

Jammu (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Government today said that three new positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), all from Kashmir division, have been reported today, taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 109.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 109 positive cases, 103 are Active Positive, 04 have recovered and 02 have died. Regarding their location, 85 cases are from Kashmir and 18 from the Jammu division.

Furthermore, till date 35243 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 10556 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 615 in Hospital Quarantine, 103 in hospital isolation and 17506 under home surveillance. Besides, 6463 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

The Bulletin said that till date 1708 samples have been sent for testing of which 1583 have tested as negative, and 16 reports are awaited till April 06, 2020.

The bulletin urged the general public to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to COVID-19 affected countries and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.

The bulletin stressed on people to take extra time and care for themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak. While detailing some simple strategies the bulletin reads, “Spending quality time with family and getting involved in family discussions while staying at home during this period will help reduce anxiety and distress. Try to connect with your family members & loved ones through phone call or video call if they stay far from you.”

The bulletin called on people to engage in recreational activities like solving puzzles, playing some board games, listening to music, reading etc to reduce boredom. “It is important to be physically active. Simple stretching exercises, simple yoga postures, walking indoors or meditation will be beneficial not only for your physical health but also mental health. Keep yourself busy in doing small activities at home to reduce boredom like gardening, cleaning and cooking etc. Cut down on listening to news all the time as it may be upsetting,” the bulletin reads.

The general public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals. In case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.

The Bulletin informed the general public that in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free No. 102.

Besides a 24×7 toll-free national helpline number 1075, 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, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on novel coronavirus disease.

With regard to personal hygiene, the bulletin advised on frequent hand washing with soap and water and to observe, coughing and sneezing etiquettes.

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time and are urged to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.

People are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

Anurag Srivastava takes charge as new MEA spokesperson

MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava

New Delhi (NVI): Senior diplomat Anurag Srivastava today took charge as the new spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), succeeding Raveesh Kumar who held the position for around three years.

Handing over charge, Raveesh Kumar tweeted, “Time to pass the baton. After 33 months of an incredible opportunity to serve the nation, my best wishes to Anurag Srivastava as the next Official Spokesperson of @MEAIndia. Grateful for the understanding and support of my family, friends & colleagues during this journey.”

Anurag Srivastava tweeted in response to Raveesh’s tweet, “Honoured and privileged to take over as the Official Spokesperson of @MEAIndia. I look forward to working closely with all to fulfill my responsibilities in this new role.”

https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1247073752522715136

Srivastava, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was last posted as the ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union. Prior to that, he headed the political wing at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and was closely involved in framing and implementing India’s development assistance projects.

He has also served at India’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva.

30 new COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan, total 367

New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan authorities have recorded 30 new positive cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total in the country to 367, according to Afghan media reports.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health announced that the public health officials have recorded 16 new cases in Herat, 6 in Kabul, 3 in Nimroz, 2 in Kunduz, 2 in Faryab and 1 in Daikundi.

The new cases increase the number of COVID-19 positive cases to 367 in Afghanistan with the majority of the cases recorded in Herat and Kabul provinces, they said.

The virus has so far killed 9 people across the country with the last victim being an 80-year-old man who died in North-eastern Takhar province.

Earlier, the public health ministry officials had announced that the disease has killed a patient in capital Kabul.

PM interacts with Central ministers

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with Central Ministers through video conferencing, and appreciated their efforts for tackling COVID-19 pandemic.

During the interaction, PM said it is important that the leaders communicate carefully with the state and district administration, especially in the districts which are hotspots for the pandemic.

“It is also important to ensure there is no crowding at PDS centers, maintain effective monitoring, take action on complaints and prevent black marketing and rise in prices of essentials,” he told the leaders.

While stressing upon the importance of PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, the PM said that monitoring continuously and ensuring the benefits keep reaching the intended beneficiaries in a seamless manner during the period of lockdown

He also asked the ministers to popularise the Aarogya Setu app in the rural areas and grass-root institutions to further spread the information and awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministers also praised the PM’s initiative of ‘9pm9minute’, saying that people from all corners of the country participated in it, bringing together the entire nation in the battle against the pandemic.

Over 25,500 Tablighi workers, their contacts quarantined: MHA

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Home Ministry today said that more than 25,500 local Tablighi Jamaat workers and their contacts have been quarantined across the country as part of a massive effort by the MHA and States.

Apart from that five villages in Haryana, where foreign national TJ workers stayed, have been sealed and workers quarantined, Joint Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava told media during the daily briefing here.

She added that out of 2,083 foreign Tablighi Jamat workers identified so far, 1,750 people have been blacklisted.

Yesterday, the Union Health Ministry said that the doubling rate of Covid-19 cases in the country has increased.

As the spread of contagion due to the Tablighi Jammat congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin came to light late last month, authorities launched an operation to track the Tablighi members across the country, despite the 21-day lockdown.

According to the Ministry, as many as 1,023 coronavirus positive cases in 17 states have been traced to the Tablighi event in Delhi, accounting for 30 per cent of all cases in India.

Gunfight at LoC continues for 5th day

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

Srinagar (NVI): Five days since it began, an encounter between the Indian Army and Pakistan-trained terrorists continued to rage on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, leaving five soldiers and an equal number of infiltrators dead so far.

The encounter began when the alert Army spotted and intercepted a group of militants trying to infiltrate via the Keran sector of the LoC, Defence officials said.

“There was an attempt and brief contact was established. But the number of infiltrators is not known yet,” an official had said earlier.

In the gun battle that has been going on since, five infiltrating terrorists were killed by the Army, which lost 5 of its soldiers in the operation.

The operation to neutralise the infiltration attempt continues.

COVID effect: Salary of MPs reduced by 30% for a year

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar (File)

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet today approved an ordinance, reducing the salaries of the Members of Parliament by 30 per cent for a year with effect from April 1, 2020. The amount will be used to fight the coronavirus crisis.

The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 has been amended, thereby slashing the salaries of the MPs by 30 per cent for a year.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar briefed media on the unprecedented move by the Centre, saying that the President, Vice President, Governors of States have also voluntarily decided to take a pay cut as a social responsibility. The money will go to the Consolidated Fund of India, he added.

Apart from that, Cabinet has also approved temporary suspension of MPLADS during 2020-21 and 2021-22 for managing health and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

India has to emerge victorious in this long war against Covid-19: PM

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that it is going to be a long war against the coronavirus pandemic while appealing to the BJP workers to put up a determined fight so that the country emerges victorious out of the crisis situation.

PM Modi was addressing BJP workers on the occasion of the party’s 40th foundation day.


He also urged the party workers to be steadfast in India’s fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic by contributing to the PM-CARES fund and asking 40 others to do so.

He said, “The citizens of the country had shown unprecedented maturity during the nationwide lockdown setting an example before the world in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak. He added that India understood the seriousness of the disease and waged a timely war against it.”

“No one could have imagined that people would abide by this with such obedience and sense of service,” Modi added.

So far, 109 people have died due to the contagion in the country with 4,067 confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the Health Ministry.

No notification issued by WHO on lockdown schedule: Govt

New Delhi (NVI): A WHO circular containing a detailed schedule on coronavirus lockdown schedule has been doing rounds on social media.

The government has clarified that WHO has not issued any such circular and this is a rumour which is being spread on the internet.

A circular titled – ‘Protocol & procedure of lockdown periods for controlling on most dangerous virus’ was being shared on social media including Facebook, Twitter as well as Whatsapp. The circular also mentioned four steps of the lockdown that will continue till June 10.

769 foreign tourists register on ‘Stranded in India’ portal

New Delhi (NVI): In the first five days of its operation, ‘Stranded in India’ portal launched by the Ministry of Tourism has helped foreign tourists stuck in the country due to the lockdown situation.

The portal was launched on March 31 and since then, 769 foreign tourists from all over the country have registered on the portal that is aimed at identifying, assisting and facilitating them.

Such tourists would need to log on to the portal, provide some basic contact information and narrate the nature of issues being faced by them if any.

Every State Government and Union Territory Administration has identified a Nodal Officer for assisting such foreign tourists, the Ministry of Tourism said in a statement today.

The 5 Regional Offices of the Ministry of Tourism are constantly coordinating with the Nodal Officers regarding the Support Requests logged on the portal, for facilitating ground support to the foreigners, if so required.

The Tourism Ministry Regional Offices are also coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration and FRROs regarding Visa issues being faced by stranded foreigners. Requests for movement within the country/state and for transfer to the home country of such tourists are also being coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and with the respective Embassy/High Commission/Consulate.

The Ministry further stated that the utility and efficacy of the portal has led to stranded foreign tourists being contacted over e-mails, telephones and also in person depending on the nature of support required by them.

“They have been connected with the relevant foreign office of their home country in India and provided various information updates on flights out of India to their home countries. Wherever required, they have been provided medical assistance, food and accommodation,” it said.

The Tourism Ministry also mentioned some cases where foreigners or foreign tourists received helped through the portal amid lockdown.

A lady, who is an American citizen, was stranded in Supaul district of Bihar amidst the COVID19 lockdown, while her son was undergoing a surgery at Delhi. The portal facilitated the required inter-ministerial, inter-departmental and State-Centre coordination and secured her a special transit-permit to travel to Delhi. She has safely reached her destination and expressed her gratitude for the efforts put in by all the concerned agencies, the ministry said.

In another case, two Costa Rican citizens, who had come to Chennai for a surgery (medical tourism), were stranded at Chennai after the surgery. “Close coordination with the State Government, the Costa Rican Embassy and the hotel in which the tourists were staying helped in soothing the frayed and panicked nerves of the tourists. They are now safe and well,” the ministry said in a statement.

An Australian tourist with his family was stranded in Ahmedabad. The tourist has epilepsy and ran out of medication prescribed by Australian doctors due to the lockdown. The portal led to the tourist being reached through the office of the District Collector. He was provided with sufficient medication and was also offered food and local transportation. Now, they are comfortable and safe, according to an official statement by the ministry.

 

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