Three more persons were tested positive for coronavirus infection in Ladakh, taking the total number of such cases in the Union Territory to six, a senior official said on Tuesday, announcing imposition of prohibitory orders in the entire Kargil district as a preventive measure.
The three patients, two from Leh and one from Kargil, testedpositive but they are in stable condition and are undergoing treatment inspecially set up isolation wards, Ladakh’s Commissioner Secretary (Health) RigzinSamphel said.
With three more persons testing positive for coronavirus, hesaid, the confirmed cases of corona-affliction in the UT have now risen to six,including one medical staff.
Three patients were tested positive for the disease earlier.The test report of about 50 patients was still awaited and expected in the nextcouple of days, he said.
Samphel said over 22,000 people were screened at hospitalsand specially set up checkpoints including the main airport in Ladakh and over130 samples were collected and sent outside the UT for testing.
He said 208 people are in home quarantine in Leh and Kargildistricts, while 150 of them have completed the essential mandatory quarantineperiod of two weeks but were advised to avoid going out to crowded areas as aprecautionary measure.
As many as 21 suspected cases have been quarantined inhealth facilities in Kargil and another nine in Leh district, he said.
As part of efforts to check the spread of the pandemic, hesaid the district administration in Kargil has issued prohibitory orders underSection 144 CrPC, banning the assembly of five or more persons. “A similarorder is to be issued in Leh district in coming days,” he said.
In his order issued Tuesday morning, District MagistrateKargil, Baseer ul Haq said the restrictions under prohibitory orders have comeinto force with immediate effect and will remain in force in the entiredistrict for one month.
“Any violation of the order by any person shall inviteaction under IPC,” Haq said, highlighting various measures taken to check thespread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Leh District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishyaordered immediate closure of all gymnasiums and recreational clubs in thedistrict till March 31.
“It is felt that large gatherings in gyms, recreationalclubs and other such places may cause spread of COVID-19. All gyms andrecreational clubs of Leh district shall remain closed with immediate effect,”Vaishya said in his order.
Earlier on March 13, the district magistrate withdrew ‘AllInner Line Permits’ issued with immediate effect.
First positive case in Kargil:
Among the three positive coronavirus cases reported in Leh,one belongs to Kargil. It is the first positive coronavirus case which has beendetected in Kargil so far.
Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Baseer ul Haq confirmed to GreaterKashmir that the first positive case of coronavirus has been reported inKargil.
He said the person who has tested positive had been incontact with his father who had arrived from Iran. “We have put them inisolation. Though the person tested positive for COVID-19, but he is healthyand stable,” the DC said.