Author: hamid

ICMR has widened the scope of testing to include some asymptomatic individuals as well.

Source: Economic Times

As the tally for the number of positive coronavirus cases in the country nears the dreaded 300-mark, India prepares for a nation-wide ‘Janata Curfew’ on March 22nd. According to the latest data released by Union Health Ministry, 283 individuals have been confirmed positive among suspected cases and contacts of known positive cases.

ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has widened the scope of testing to include some asymptomatic individuals as well. Before Indian airspace closes off for international flights on Sunday, Air India sent an aircraft to Rome today to evacuate students, other travellers or any Indians stranded there.

The Indian Railways have also relaxed its refund policy. Now, if a train is cancelled between the journey period March 21-April 15, refund across counter can be taken on submission of ticket up to 45 days from the date of journey instead of the present three hours.

In an effort to curb panic buying and over-charging of essential items, the government also capped the MRP of 200ml hand sanitizer at Rs 100 till June.

Here is full account of all that happened today — new cases and the changes in restrictions that happened in different states:

• Woman with recent travel history to Scotland tests positive in West Bengal; total now 3
• Six fresh cases of the new coronavirus have surfaced in Rajasthan, total 23
• Cases in Maharashtra rise to 63; 11 more cases found since Friday; Woman with no foreign tour history tests positive in Pune
• Six new positive cases in Gujarat; total rises to 13
• One person tests positive in Noida, 2 in Haryana
• Three new cases in Karnataka, total now 18

Maharashtra

• Cafes, restaurants in Mumbai to operate with precaution
• 10th paper for SSC board cancelled
• Navi Mumbai heads for the partial shutdown
• Over 800 under home quarantine in Aurangabad
• State govt asks employers to not retrench workers or reduce their wages

Delhi-NCR

• AIIMS to perform only emergency surgeries for now, to suspend walk-in OPD registration from March 23
• State government to pay salaries to all contractual, daily wage workers, guest teachers
• No bus from Haryana to enter Delhi during Janata Curfew
• All state govt press conferences will be conducted digitally
• IGI airport bars all international flights for one week from Mar 22
• No gathering with more than 5 people allowed in Delhi
• Ration per person in Delhi increased by 50%

Rajasthan

• Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in Jhunjhunu
• 4 MPs go under self-isolation for coming in contact with Dushyant Singh

West Bengal

• Higher Secondary Examination postponed
• Potato prices jump at least 20%

Goa

• Goa govt invokes Section 144
• Goa launches a self-assessment interactive app on Coronavirus
• No passenger vehicles to be allowed from Karnataka and Maharashtra into Goa from midnight

Uttar Pradesh

• UP govt announces Rs 1000 to 15 lakh daily wage labourers and 20.37 lakh construction workers
• All UP ministers to work from home
• Varanasi’s Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple to be closed for devotees till March 25
• Gorakhnath temple in UP closed for public
• Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor booked for negligence

Jammu and Kashmir

• Farooq Abdullah releases Rs 1 cr from MPLAD funds
• Strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people, markets shut
  -J&K admimistration warns of strict action for not declaring travel history
  -J&K Waqf board suspends gatherings on eve of Mehraj-ul-Alam

Northeast

• Assam invokes Epidemic Act
• Rural, urban local body polls put on hold in Arunachal Pradesh
• 12 airports fall under the essential services category, will be functional during Janata Curfew

Odisha

• BMC announces odd-even formula for public transportation
• Govt requests RBI to ensure availability of sufficient cash in banks, ATMs in view of COVID-19

Kerala

• Govt employees to work part-time for 2 weeks

Karnataka

• Karnataka hires ‘Corona warriors’ to provide real-time information, avoid fake news menace

Business

• Tata Group to fully compensate temporary staff
• SBI opens emergency credit line for borrowers
• Alibaba founder Jack Ma to donate emergency supplies to South Asian countries
• CII suggests Rs 5,000 cash transfer to 20 cr people
• IKEA closes its Hyderabad store

Around the World

• New York bans gatherings, nonessential workers to stay home
• White House staffer tests positive for coronavirus
• Italy tightens lockdown as toll tops 4,000
• Singapore reports two deaths from coronavirus, first fatalities in country
• Uber suspends taxi booking option in Saudi Arabia
• Google launches coronavirus website in US
• Pakistan suspends international flights for two weeks
• No new local cases for the third day in a row in China

Govt Tells HC: They’re Being ‘Appealed’ Not To Visit, Anyone Who Visits Shall Be Quarantined

Srinagar, March 20 (GNS): The administration has informed the J&K High Court that an appeal is being issued to all foreign tourists not to visit Jammu and Kashmir. “However, any foreign tourist visiting shall be quarantined,” Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department told High Court in a compliance report.

The report comes two days after government ordered a probe into the entry of four foreign tourists including two Italians, for jumping the “ban”.

The four tourists arrived on Wednesday were believed to have widely travelled across India, including national capital New Delhi, before reaching J&K.

On March 18, the government in a statement issued here said that the tourists were not aware of the “ban on entry of foreign tourists in J&K the government ordered late last night (on Tuesday).”

Meanwhile, among others the government informed the High Court the 100% quarantine shall be made for all visitors from the Union Territory of Ladakh. “It has also been decided to introduce and operationalized 100% checking of passengers at Banihal,” the Financial Commissioner said.

All educational institutions and Anganwari centres have been closed till March 31 in Jammu and Kashmir. “Orders for closure of Dhabas, Gyms, Restaurants, Workshops, Hotels at Patnitop etc. has been issued,” he said, adding “Entry of public in Civil Secretariat, Jammu and offices of Heads of Departments has been banned”.

The Financial Commissioner said that all the Deputy Commissioners have been directed to involve urban local bodies in fumigation of crowded places, offices and hospitals. “All the HODs of Health & Medical Education Department and Director, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar have been directed to ensure that all the arrangements are immediately made to ensure that the persons recommended for quarantine be stamped with indelible ink Stamp as per format enclosed and date of completion of quarantine mentioned with the help of separate stamp on the dorsum of right hand of the person to be quarantined.”

He said the administration has been decided to fumigate buses entering J&K at Lakhanpur and Lower Munda with l% hypocholorite solution.

“All the Deputy Commissioners have been directed to involve urban local bodies in fumigation of crowded places, offices and hospitals,” he added. (GNS)

3611 persons under observation in JK, 4 test positive

JAMMU, MARCH 21: The Government today informed that 3611 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance and, so far, only four cases have tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19) 2557 persons have been kept under home quarantine while as 50 are in hospital quarantine.

Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 584 while as 420 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

The Bulletin further said that 213 samples have been sent for testing of which 205 tested as negative and only four cases have tested positive so far, while as four reports are awaited till March 21, 2020.

Meanwhile, a 24×7 toll-free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982 (Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (Kashmir Division).

The government has directed that Home quarantine is mandatory for anybody having travel history to Novel Coronavirus affected countries/ areas in order to contain the spread of the disease. All the travellers who have arrived from Covid-19 affected countries/ areas and have not declared their travel history so far have been appealed to necessarily report to local health authorities/ Covid helpline and undergo self-imposed home quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival.

The Public at large has been urged to extend full co-operation to the call of Janta Curfew given by the Prime Minister tomorrow from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

The Government has also urged the general public to maintain social distancing as it is the key to stop and prevent the spread of Covid-19 from those who are infected.

“The intervention includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible,” the Government advisory said.

Further, the Government has appealed people to not panic and take care of health and protect others.

“Public, in general, is advised to avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport. Avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.

The advisory also calls upon the general public to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the Government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media. The advisory urges people to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media. Furthermore, people are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

Srinagar, Mar 21 (KNO): Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir P K Pole on Saturday said that restrictions imposed in Kashmir as precautionary measures will continue till March 31st, 2020.

Talking to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Pole said that “we are in phase three of deadly Coronavirus. We need to control the speed of this virus. Therefore, it is necessary to continue with the restrictions in Kashmir so that the precious lives can be saved.”

He added that this phase is very crucial, adding at this juncture, everybody has to remain cautious and follow the advisories to prevent the virus from spreading.

Meanwhile, Pole further appealed people to observe ‘Janata Curfew’ tomorrow (March 22) in letter and spirit, adding that it is necessary for the everyone to follow the ‘Janata curfew’ – (KNO)

Srinagar, March 21: A person, with travel history to Saudi Arabia, ran away from Chest Disease (CD) Hospital Srinagar as medicos were preparing to take his sample for coronavirus test, sources told GNS on Saturday.

They said that the person, who was advised by the district authorities to visit the hospital as a part of precautionary measure, reported to CD hospital today.

A resident of Padshahi Bagh Srinagar, the person was prescribed to undergo chest X-Ray and other tests including one for coronavirus. “He instantly ran away from the hospital, leaving hospital staff to raise alarm.” They said that the hospital authorities have now taken up the issue with district administration. (GNS)

With lack of protective gear, 2 docs turn coronavirus suspects

Srinagar, March 21 (KINS): Amid lack of protective gear, doctors and paramedics who are on the forefront to deal with coronavirus are vulnerable to attract the virus in Kashmir.

On Saturday two female doctors were put under observation at hospitals in Kashmir after they showed symptoms of coronavirus.

“Like other doctors, these did not have proper protective gear while treating patients,” a senior doctor at SKIMS Soura told Kashmir Indepth News Service.

One of the doctors is a resident at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, and another is a resident at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital Srinagar.

Shortage of proper protection equipment has been one of the reasons for infections among health workers.

Dr. Irshad Muntazir said, “We are in the middle of the battleground, the way armed forces are being provided the arms and personal protection likewise docs and medical staff must be equipped with who designated personal protective equipment in order to bend the curve of transmission. Otherwise be ready for the calamity which can create havoc.”

A doctor at SMHS Hospital Srinagar said authorities have failed to provide protection equipment including masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and gowns to doctors and other medical staff. “We are at the risk of catching the infection. Our two female doctors have shown symptoms as government failed to provide us proper equipments. We are vulnerable to attract infections while treating patients,” he said.

While Principal Government Medical College Srinagar Dr Samia Rashid in a tweet said, “We have more than 13,000 N95 masks 3300 personal protections kits and 22,000 triple layered masks.”

“Additionally, taking cognizance of the impending scarcity, Medical Superintendent SMHS has procured 10,000 additional triple layered masks last night,” she said.

Appeals people to follow health advisory, avoid social gatherings

SRINAGAR, MARCH 21: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole today visited various quarantine facility centers across Srinagar city which were established for suspected Covid-19 patients.

The Div Com inspected round the clock facilities available at these centers including testing facilities, availability of adequate staff, equipments, ambulances, bedding, proper sanitation and other facilities.

On the occasion he interacted with the quarantined people and enquired about their wellbeing besides, enquiring doctors about the present status of quarantine and screening of the patients at these centers.

He asked the concerned officials to work with dedication and ensure all the facilities are made available to the people being quarantined at these centers. He asked them to take all precautionary measures to containing the spread of infection.

The Div Com observed that proper arrangements are in place and said that with the active cooperation of Srinagar district administration, it would be ensured that evolving situation raised due to spread of COVID-19 is tackled effectively.

On the occasion, he appealed people to adhere to the advisories issued by the Health Services to contain spread of COVID-19. He further appealed people not to pay heed to rumors and avoid social gatherings.

During his visit, Div Com was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Director Health Services, CMO Srinagar and other concerned officers.

He said the government is doubling the pension for old, handicapped & widows for this month.

Source: GK News Network

The Delhi government on Saturday announced it will be giving more ration and pensions to the people of Delhi as coronavirus is causing financial troubles to the poor.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the government will give 50 per cent increase in ration to 72 lakh people.

He said the government is doubling the pension for old, handicapped & widows for this month.

For the ‘Janata Curfew’ on Sunday, he said there would be a 50 per cent suspension of buses while 50 per cent will ply for emergency cases.

“Corona restrictions causing terrible financial stress to poor. Following decisions taken to provide them relief, Rs 4,000-5,000 pension will be paid to 8.5 lakh beneficiaries by April 7 and free rations, with 50 per cent more quantity than the normal entitlement, to 72 lakh beneficiaries,” Kejriwal said.

The authorities continued complete restrictions for the second consecutive day in Srinagar district today.

Source: GK News Network

Three out of four Ph.D. scholars who had escaped during quarantine from Aligarh Muslim University were traced to Kashmir on Saturday.

Four Ph.D. scholars of Aligarh Muslim University, who belong to the Valley, had escaped from the quarantine ward in that Uttar Pradesh city on March 18.

Two of them have been traced by the authorities in Baramulla district while the third one was traced in Anantnag district, District Magistrates of the two districts told media.

The fourth Kashmiri scholar who escaped from the quarantine ward in Aligarh is still untraced. They have been shifted to Health Centres for examination.

Officials said after preliminary medical examination today, doctors would decide the course of preventive procedure regarding these three persons.

Sources said that the three had returned to India from the UAE on the March 18 and their university had kept in quarantine where from they fled to Kashmir.

A letter issued by the medical authorities at the AMU had said three scholars fled the isolation wards without informing the authorities. The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir swung into action and traced the trio in their native villages in Anatnag and Baramulla.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag Sandeep Chaudhary told IANS that the police was alert about their movement to Kashmir from Aligarh.

“The scholar from Anatnag was taken away by police just an hour after he reached his home at 3 a.m.,” Choudhary said.

The two youth from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district were also timely traced timely by the authorities.

Divisonal Commissisoner P.K. Pole told IANS that after the whereabouts of the three scholars were known, the government teams immediately tracked them down.

The authorities continued complete restrictions for the second consecutive day in Srinagar district today.

Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Srinagar DM has said this has become absolutely necessary to ensure safety and well being of the people in the district.

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)