Srinagar, April 06: Amid surge in Covid-19 cases in Kashmir, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has further intensified Covid-29 testing and alerted the hospitals.
Director Health Kashmir Mushtaq Ahmad Rather said that proactive steps have been taken to enhance preparedness in the face of rising cases and intensified testing has been started in hospitals and other facilities.
“Directions have been issued to all relevant officials to ramp up testing and preparations for a mock drill on April 10 to assess their Covid-19 preparedness are in full swing,” he said.
He said that the directorate has played a significant role in tackling the previous Covid-19 waves and they are gearing up in view of the fresh surge in cases over the past five days.
Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir started surging on April 02 when J&K reported 19 fresh Covid-19 cases. Till date J&K has reported 138 Covid-19 cases.
He said the Health Department Kashmir has already directed all the Chief Medical Officers to increase Covid-19 testing rate and establish Flu clinics at all health institutions.
“Furthermore, there hasn’t been any increase in the proportion testing of RT-PCR which should be the benchmark of minimum 80 percent of total Covid19 testing,” it said.
The DHSK directed all CMOs to increase the rate of Covid-19 testing, proportion of RT-PCR, testing and ensure the establishment of Flu Clinics at all health institutions as per the guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry.
Doctors said that people shouldn’t panic and take precautions, wear masks in crowded places, wash hands frequently and keep physical distancing.
They said high-risk groups, people with comorbidities and elderly need to be more vigilant. They said in coming days, cases may rise faster and the only way to stop this trend is to adopt Covid-Appropriate Bahaviour.
Last week, when India witnessed rise in fresh Covid-9 cases, the Union Health Ministry 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 spread.
The ministry has also asked the states to ensure the availability of required drugs and logistics for Influenza and Covid -19 across health facilities. Apart from this, states have been asked to ensure the availability of sufficient designated beds and health workers.
J&K reports 58 fresh Covid-19 cases in a day
Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday logged 58 fresh Covid-19 cases taking the number of active positive cases to 238 while 3,116 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
As per the media bulletin issued by the Jammu and Kashmir government, among the 58 new cases, 35 are from Kashmir division and 23 cases are from Jammu division.
It said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 238 including 177 from Kashmir division and 61 from Jammu division.
Of the fresh 58 cases reported today, 14 are from Srinagar, seven from Baramulla, six from Kulgam, three from Pulwama, two each from Baramulla, Bandipora and one from Shopian.
In Jammu division, the fresh cases reported today include 12 from Jammu, four from Samba, two from Ramban, one each from Udhampur, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua and Poonch.
As per the media bulletin, 10 Covid-19 cases recovered today including six from Kashmir division and four from Jammu Division. It said in the last 24 hours a total of 3,116 Covid-19 tests were conducted across testing labs in Jammu and Kashmir.
It said all the 238 cases 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. Today’s caseload is the highest-ever positive cases reported so far this year.
Officials said that no death was reported due to Covid and admission in hospitals is still negligible.
On Mar 28, the Health and Medical Education Department reviewed Covid-19 and public health 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. Officials said testing has also been improved in hospitals and people have been advised to get tested in case of symptoms.
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 spread.
