Srinagar, April 26 (GNS): The number of COVID-19 patients in Jammu and Kashmir crossed 500-mark as 27 more tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Sunday. While the overall tally in J&K has gone up to 523, 143 of cases were added in last five days alone.
Official sources told GNS that among 27 cases, 16 were confirmed at Viral Diagnostic Lab of SKIMS Soura, all from north Kashmir districts—eight from Bandipora, seven from Baramulla and one from Kupwara.
“Total cases now 523. But don’t let this number daunt you. This includes 137 recoveries too. Total Active positive cases are 380. We will keep doing aggressive testing and strict containment. And you have to support by #Stayingathome #Togetherwecan #Weshallovercome,” Rohit Kansal, principal secretary information and government spokesman said in a tweeted.
Eleven other cases were confirmed at the COVID-19 testing laboratory at Chest Disease hospital Dalgate and include nine from Anantnag district and two from Srinagar.
The eleven cases from Anantnag includes 8-year-old girl from Issoo Achabal and a 56-year-old ISM Pharmacist, a resident of Tailwani Achabal who is presently posted at PHC Achabal and had 10 days ago developed some chest infection. The doctors had advised him to get tested and to remain quarantined at his home, sources said.
The other cases from the southern Kashmir district include 35-year-old woman from Bijbhera besides three females—aged 44, 47 and 60— and as many men—aged 38, 65 and 70—from Nowgam area, the sources said.
Bandipora cases include seven persons from Gund Jahangir—5-year-old girl, three men—aged 24, 25 and 30 besides a 27-year-old, 50-year-old and a 60-year-old women. The other case from the district is a 33-year-old woman of Wusun Goshbugh.
The Baramulla has seven cases and includes 26-year-old woman of Kakerhamam, 32-year-old man of Zandfaran Malpora, a 29-year-old policeman of Chijhama Rafiabad besides four members of a family –two females aged 24 and 28 besides two men—aged 21 and 23 of Malpora.
Srinagar district reported two fresh cases, one of them a 40-year-old pregnant woman and other is 45-year-old shopkeeper, both residents of Watal Kadal Srinagar.
“Received two COVID-19 patients at JLNM Hospital from Red Zone Srinagar, one male a shopkeeper and another female five month pregnant, both neighbours of previous positive patients already admitted at JLNM Hospital Rainawari Srinagar,” Dr Bilquis Shah, Nodal Officer JLNM hospital, told Global News Service.
Kupwara’s case is a resident of Sheikhpora Manigah and the 40-year-old, according to the locals had returned only four days ago from New Delhi.
With these fresh cases, Bandipora now has 123 COVID-19 patients, highest in all districts, followed by Srinagar (86), Shopian (63), Baramulla (62), Kupwara (47), Anantnag (49), Jammu (26), Udhampur (20), Ganderbal (14), Budgam (14), Kulgam (6), Rajouri (4), Samba (4), Pulwama (3) while Kathua, Kishtwar and Ramban districts have one case each.
Meanwhile, according to officials, till date 66977 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which include 6232 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 258 in Hospital Quarantine, 380 in hospital isolation and 10763 under home surveillance. Besides, 49338 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Officials said that out of 13959 test results available, 12436 samples have tested as negative till April 26 (1600 hours). (GNS)
