1 more tests positive in Ladakh
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: One more person has tested positive for the COVID-19 infection in Chusaul village of Ladakh taking the number of confirmed coronavirus patients to three in the Union territory.
Authorities said the son of one of the two confirmed coronavirus patients tested positive on Thursday.
While Ladakh has three COVID-19 confirmed cases, in Jammu and Kashmir so far, there has only been one confirmed case of novel coronavirus. More than three high-loaded viral cases in J&K have been again sent for re-examination.
So far, 47 samples from Ladakh have been sent for the tests and reports of 25 samples have already been received.
Commissioner secretary, Rigzian Sampheal, told HT that there were two positive cases in Ladakh which included Mohammad Hussain and Mohammad Hadi of Chusaul village. “On Wednesday evening, we received the report of Zakir Hussain, son of Mohammad Hadi, which is positive. Now, we have three coronavirus cases in Ladakh.’’
He said reports of 25 samples that were sent to Delhi have been received. “Apart from three positive cases, all others are negative,’’ he added.
Sampheal said the family was already under quarantine and were taken to an isolation ward. “The six members of Hussain’s family will be shifted to Heart Foundation Hospital for isolation and their samples will be sent to Delhi,’’ he said.
Sampheal, who is the spokesperson of Ladakh UT said surveillance has been increased in Chusaul village and teams are keeping close eye on the village.
He said measures have been taken by the government to stop the coronovirus from spreading in the UT. “All schools and colleges have been closed and leaves of all doctors have been cancelled. No big social gatherings are being allowed,’’ he added.
Sampheal said 100 people who had come from Iran are under home quarantine and surveillance. “We are keeping close watch on people who had come from Iran for any symptoms,” he added.
BJP’S PUBLIC DARBARS IN JAMMU POSTPONED
As a preventive measure, Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP), has postponed its public darbars to be held at mandal-level in Jammu region.
Public darbars by the BJP scheduled to be held from March 15 to 22 at every mandal throughout Jammu were to be addressed by MPs, former ministers, former MLAs, former MLCs and senior leaders of the party.
Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Sunil Sharma said the decision was taken in view of the fast and unrelenting spread of coronavirus.
“In wake of the present circumstances, BJP has decided to keep a hold on its public programmes keeping in view the public health. Therefore, public darbars by the Bharatiya Janata Party have been postponed for now till the situation improves and the spread of coronavirus is checked.”
KASHMIR VARSITY SUSPENDS CLASSES
Kashmir university on Thursday announced suspension of all classes for the rest of March as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. “It is notified for the information of all concerned that the class work at the University of Kashmir including its main campus and all other satellite campuses shall remain suspended with effect from March 12 to March 31 as a precautionary measure in view of the pandemic COVID-19 (Coronavirus),” a varsity spokesperson said.
Authorities in J&K have closed all schools, colleges, universities and coaching centres in both the Kashmir valley and the Jammu province.
Cinema halls and childcare ‘Aganwadi’ centres have also been closed in Jammu and Kashmir up to March 31.
People have been advised to avoid travel by public transport and stay away from crowded places. Meanwhile, authorities have sealed a fake hand sanitizer manufacturing unit in north Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.