With sudden surge in COVID19 cases in J&K, the toll of positive patients rose to 106 today, a 100 percent increase in just five days.
12 new samples of COVID19 tested positive today, all inKashmir division, while two samples had tested positive late Saturday night.Government Press Bulletin issued today said the toll of COVID19 positivepatients has reached 106.
While the number of positive cases stood at 55 on 31 March,in the past five days only the numbers have doubled. Past 10 days have shownsudden surge in COVID19 cases in J&K, figures rising from 18 on 26 March to106 today.
Prof Parvaiz Koul, influenza expert and head of internal andpulmonary medicine at SKIMS, said the rate of increase in J&K is almostsame as rest of India. However, he said, in coming days the numbers areexpected to rise faster.
While 8 samples tested positive at SKIMS lab, four more weretested at CD Hospital.
Medical superintendent SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan, said six of thesamples found positive for COVID19 today are of minors. These include fourgirls, aged 8, 11, 12 and 14 years old, admitted at GMC Baramulla. Three ofthese girls are siblings. Dr Jan said these minors have probably contracted thevirus from their fathers who have already tested positive for COVID19. One 18year old male, with history of contact with a COVID19 positive patient fromBaramulla also tested positive for COVID19 today. A 14 year old boy from Budgamdistrict, with history of contact with a COVID19 positive patient, was alsodeclared COVID19 positive today. He was admitted at SKIMS.
In addition, one more patient, aged 24 was also admitted atSKIMS and found to be COVID19 positive. This person, Dr Jan said, had travelledto Madhya Pradesh recently.
The Institute also tested positive a patient from Ganderbalwith history of travel to Jammu. This is the first COVID19 case from thedistrict.
Continuing the trail of positives from the 16 March flightto Kashmir, carrying passengers from Saudi Arabia, two more patients testedpositive for the virus on Sunday. Two patients, who had travelled by the sameflight, had tested positive Saturday night. Medical superintendent DistrictHospital Pulwama, Dr Jameel Ahmed, said all four patients are from districtShopian, currently admitted at District Hospital Pulwama. Their samples weretested at CD Hospital.
Dr S Saleem Khan, nodal officer COVID19 at GMC Srinagar,said two samples of patients, residents of Srinagar and admitted at JLNMHospital, had also been found positive. These patients, he said, are contactsof already diagnosed patients.
With the increasing load of contacts under quarantine, thetesting pace has also been increased at CD Hospital. A total 96 samples weretested today at CD Hospital, while over 80 samples were in waiting.
Restrictions continue:
With COVID19 cases surging with each passing day, theauthorities on Sunday tightened the restrictions on the movement and assemblyof people across Kashmir.
The restrictions continued for the 18th consecutive day.
The officials said the curbs across the Valley have beentightened to minimise the movement of the people in order to contain the spreadof the virus.