Srinagar, June 2: With Kashmir’s rural areas continuing to have a rise in COVID19 cases, J&K Government has directed increased testing for earlier detection of cases and better containment.
Over 80 percent of active cases of COVID19 are outside of Srinagar district currently, the highest till date in the Second Wave of COVID19. While Srinagar district, as per data pertaining to 1 June, had 4057 active cases, other districts in Kashmir had 16990 cases. The numbers, a senior epidemiologist said, reflects the spread of cases in other districts while Srinagar “appears to be well past its peak”.
In order to slow down the spread of infection in these areas, the health department has been directed to increase testing.
Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo said that testing and contact tracing were being focused on in many districts of Kashmir. He said that Anantnag, Baramulla and Budgam
were having a high positivity and active cases. “We have passed the directions to officials in these districts,” he said.
As per an order issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole, 15400 Rapid Antigen Test kits and 4770 Viral Transport Mediums (VTM) for RT-PCR tests will be provided cumulatively to all districts in the division, in a day.
Together, over 20,000 COVID19 tests will be carried out in a division per day (4770 RT-PCR and 15400 RAT), as per this order.
District Srinagar will be provided 3000 RAT Kits and 600 VTM kits; Baramulla 2000 RAT 600 VTM kits; Anantnag 1300 RAT and 500 VTM kits and Budgam 2000 RAT and 600 VTM kits.
In addition, each Panchayat COVID19 Care Centre has been directed to carry out 5 to 10 RAT centers. “Those CCCs established in sub-centers have to start doing tests immediately,” the official said.
A senior official said that directions have also been passed for taking strong action against violators of COVID19 guidelines. “The Div Com today instructed all the DCs for zero tolerance, strict fines but polite behaviour against violation of COVID19 appropriate behaviour,” the official said.
In the Second Wave, COVID19 cases have risen dramatically across Kashmir. However, there is disparity in how the virus has affected various parts of the UT and various districts.
As per official information, Srinagar district has the highest per million cases – nearly 53000. While Bandipora, Shopian, Baramulla and Pulwama have had around 20,000 cases per million, Ganderbal has witnessed more than 29,000 cases per million. Kupwara district has reported the lowest cases per million in Kashmir, with about 14,000 cases per million. District Jammu has recorded 33,000 cases per million in the pandemic.