Srinagar, Apr08: The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has intensified testing in hospitals to combat the spread of Covid-19, and a record number of samples from symptomatic patients are being examined daily, according to officials.
Authorities stated that hospitals have been subjected to increased Covid-19 testing in order to improve preparation in the face of escalating instances and cope with the problem.
Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, stated that testing has increased throughout hospitals and that they are executing the basic fundamentals of Covid-19 management, which are test, track, and treat.
“In the coming days, we will further improve testing and you will see more and more tests to be carried in order to track and provide treatment to positive cases. Once we test then only we can treat the patients,” he told Rising Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday logged 77 fresh Covid-19 cases taking the number of active positive cases to 349 while 3,733 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
As per the media bulletin issued by the Jammu and Kashmir government, among the 77 new cases, 51 are from Kashmir division and 26 are from Jammu division.
It said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir have increased to 349 including 230 from Kashmir division and 119 from Jammu division.
Of the fresh 77 cases reported today, include 10 from Budgam, nine each are from Srinagar, Baramulla, eight from Pulwama, seven from Bandipora, three from Kulgam and one from Ganderbal district.
In Jammu division, the fresh cases reported today include nine from Jammu, five each from Udhampur, Samba, three each from Poonch, Ramban and one from Rajouri.
As per the media bulletin, 37 Covid-19 patients recovered today including 32 from Kashmir division and five from Jammu Division. It said in the last 24 hours a total of 3,733 Covid-19 tests were conducted across testing labs in Jammu and Kashmir.
It said all the 349 active cases are either in-home or hospital quarantine. It added that 31 persons are under home surveillance.
Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir started surging on April 02 when J&K reported 19 fresh Covid-19 cases.
On April 03 also, J&K saw a major jump of 40 fresh cases. Similarly, on April 04, J&K reported 31 cases and 48 cases on April 05. On April 06 58 cases were reported.
On April 07 J&K again saw the highest-ever caseload of 95 cases. Officials said no death was reported due to Covid-19 and admissions in hospitals are going up.
On Mar 28, the Health Department reviewed Covid-19 preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir in a high-level meeting. During the meeting, all the heads of the institutions were directed to be in ready mode to meet any eventuality.
The health department has also tightened Covid preparedness measures following reports of fresh infection surges in the UT while hospitals have been alerted.
Like in other parts of the country, the Jammu and Kashmir Health Department would conduct a mock drill in all hospitals for an emergency response to deal with Covid-19 cases on April 10 as a precautionary measure.
The mock drill will be held to ensure the operational readiness of the Covid-dedicated facilities, with a specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had advised all the states and Union Territories to effectively implement a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat, follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and vaccinate to check the virus spread.
