Spike in deaths, cases with unknown history major concerns for J&K

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday said the spike in deaths and cases with unknown history were some of its major concerns and therefore strict policy was being implemented in red zones and containment areas.

Addressing the media here on Monday evening, UT principal secretary Rohit Kansal informed that with the test rate of over 10,000 per million, Jammu and Kashmir has now become number one in testing in the country.

“The testing capacity in the UT has gone up from just about 100 tests a day in March to 8,000 per day now. In the past one month alone, it shot up from 1,800 tests per day to 8,100 a day – an increase of 350%,” he said.

He said that aggressive and sustained testing is the only effective weapon against the disease and the administration shall continue to pursue it effectively.

On the administration’s efforts, Kansal said they have taken a slew of measures on the health, economic and welfare fronts. “J&K was probably one of the first states and UTs to take note of the emerging situation and initiate action. Many of our interventions have not only been fast but effective too,” he said.

A number of local, indigenous cases for which contact chains are not yet fully clear have also been reported, which is a cause of concern, Kansal said.“Remember, the virus is alive. Our self-restraint must continue.”