Five fatalities, 256 fresh virus infections in J&K
TALLY RISES TO 8,931 Active cases are 3,389 after 81 patients recovered
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday recorded five deaths and 256 fresh Covid-19 infections, taking the total number of cases in the Union territory to 8,931, officials said.
Of the new cases, 182 are from Kashmir and 74 from Jammu division. Among these, 71 patients have a travel history.
Officials said five more people have succumbed to the disease in Kashmir. With this, the death toll in the UT has risen to 143—129 fatalities in Kashmir and 14 in Jammu division till date.
The UT, particularly Kashmir valley, is witnessing an increase in death toll for the past one month. More than 70% of the total fatalities due to Covid-19 in J&K have come since June 7.
Kashmir divisional commissioner Pandurang K Pole held a meeting here on Tuesday to discuss the prevailing situation and urged for maximising the existing testing capacity. “Authorities at the SKIMS Bemina have been directed to increase testing facility and switch over to triple shift to achieve targets,” he said in a statement.
He has asked all deputy commissioners, chief medical officers and medical superintendents to counter “fake propaganda” regarding the pandemic. “The admission of non co-morbid patients in tertiary care hospitals should usually be avoided for better treatment of co-morbid patients,” he said.
Active cases in the Union territory stand at 3,389 after 81 more patients recovered on Tuesday. A government spokesperson said 22 people were discharged in Jammu division and 59 in Kashmir.
The number of people who have recovered since the first cases emerged on March 9 has reached 5,399, taking the recovery rate to 60.4%. Of the total recoveries, 4,072 were cured in Kashmir while 1,327 in Jammu division.
In Kashmir, the highest jump in cases was witnessed in Srinagar district where 61 more people tested positive, followed by Baramulla at 30 and Kupwara at 18. In Jammu division, the highest number of 20 cases were reported in Rajouri district followed by 13 in Doda.
Till date, 3.02 lakh people have been enlisted for observation — 40,332 in home quarantine, 3,389 in hospital isolation, 45 in hospital quarantine and 45,419 under home surveillance.
Meanwhile, the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday decided to reopen the tourism sector, which has been shut since August last year when the government scrapped the former state’s special status.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu, who issued directions to reopen the tourism sector, considered the backbone of J&K’s economy.
“J&K to reopen for tourism soon. Govt to issue detailed guidelines and SoP shortly. LG issues directions in high level meeting in Srinagar today,” Rohit Kansal, J&K’s spokesperson and principal secretary, tweeted late on Monday night.