The health authorities in north Kashmir districts have so far conducted 1848 COVID19 tests.
As per an official, of the 1848 persons tested for theinfection, 140 reports have come positive so far while 1,365 reports werenegative.
The exercise was taken up after three persons across northKashmir died due to COVID19. The deceased belonged to Baramulla and Bandiporadistricts.
In Baramulla, where two people, at Sopore and Tangmarg, dieddue to the COVID19, the authorities have started rigorous testing.
“So far, we have conducted 584 tests. Of them 38 tests havecome positive while 455 negative for the infection,” said nodal officer forCOVID19 control in Baramull, Zeeshan Ahmad.
The Baramulla administration has already declared 14 areasas red zones, two of which fall in Uri, while 12 are in Tangmarg.
The Tangmarg area of the district, where a man earlier diedof the coronavirus has so far witnessed more positive cases.
Following rise in the cases, the district administrationstarted testing vigorously in the red zone. The health officials were directedto collect samples from the red zones by going out themselves, instead ofbringing COVID19 suspects for sampling to Government Medical College,Baramulla.
“In order to stop the spread of the virus, we have decidedto collect samples from the red zones. The aim is to put maximum precautionswhile collecting and transporting samples,” said Deputy Commissioner Baramulla.
In Bandipora, the authorities have so far conducted 734tests. Of the total tests, 75 were positive and 613 negative.
So far, 11 persons haverecovered from the infection in the district so far. The authorities inBandipora have placed 496 persons under administrative quarantine, while 64were in isolation. Besides, 12 areas have been declared as red zones.
In Kupwara, the health authorities have conducted 530testes. Of these, 27 persons have tested positive, while 297 cases have beenfound negative. The result of 206 cases is awaited.
“Around 438 persons in Kupwara have been home quarantined,while 122 are in administrative quarantine. 18 persons are in isolation” saidchief medical officer Kupwara, Abdul Ghani.
The district administration has declared seven areas as redzones, while 18 areas as buffer zones. The Kupwara sub-district hospital hasbeen recently declared as COVID19 hospital. In addition, around 50 beds havebeen added to it for quarantine facility.