J&K maintains vigil amid rise in Covid-19 cases in India

Srinagar, May 26: As India witnesses a renewed surge in COVID-19 cases, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has stepped up its alertness, with health authorities closely monitoring the situation and reinforcing preventive protocols.
The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), under the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has intensified surveillance for potential COVID-19 cases across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Dr. Harjeet Rai, State Epidemiologist and IDSP in-charge for Jammu province, confirmed that no active COVID-19 cases have been reported in J&K so far. However, testing and precautionary measures are continuing in full swing.
“There is no need to panic as there are no cases at present. We are conducting routine testing for severe respiratory infections and influenza-like illnesses as per the Union Health Ministry’s guidelines,” Dr. Rai said.
The last COVID-19 case in J&K was recorded in November 2024, with no new infections reported since then, he added.
He said that post-COVID, regular mock drills have been conducted across the country as part of the national strategy to combat the virus and as a precautionary measure.
Health experts explain that COVID-19, like many viral illnesses, tends to resurge periodically after quiet phases. “COVID-19 is now endemic and will continue to appear periodically like influenza, but it currently shows no severe impact,” said an expert from GMC Srinagar.
India is recording a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases over the past weeks, with the Health Ministry’s Covid dashboard showing 1000 active cases across the country.
States including Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi have reported a surging number of Covid-19 cases, including those of an emerging variant named NB.1.8.1.
Following the surge in COVID-19 cases in Singapore and Hong Kong, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) convened a review meeting on Monday with experts from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and central government hospitals.
The country also has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR.
The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health.