All Parks and Gardens in Srinagar will remain closed till further notice. Cooperation of people in implementing precautionary measures is appreciated.
Srinagar Administration
Author: hamid
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Iran reports biggest single-day jump of coronavirus deaths as president rules out quarantine
Iran reported more than 100 coronavirus deaths Sunday, the nation’s biggest single-day jump in fatalities since the outbreak began, while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ruled out a general quarantine amid the spreading global pandemic.
Iran’s Health Ministry reported 113 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 724, and confirmed COVID-19 cases reached nearly 14,000. There are concerns the number of infections in Iran – considered the epicenter of the pandemic in the Middle East – is much higher than the confirmed cases reported by the government.
In addition to ruling out a general quarantine, Rouhani on Sunday said the government was working to keep the nation’s borders open.
Iran has been slow to adopt measures to slow the virus’ spread, citing the crippling U.S. sanctions. Other countries across the Middle East have already imposed sweeping travel restrictions, canceled public events and called on non-essential businesses to close for the coming weeks. Many have temporarily closed schools and universities.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani ruled out a general quarantine as the nation faces the biggest outbreak in all the Middle East. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) Iranian health officials have voiced concerns that if the rapid rise in cases continues, health facilities might not be able to accommodate all patients.
“If the trend continues, there will not be enough capacity,” Ali Reza Zali, who is leading the campaign against the outbreak, was quoted as saying earlier by the state-run IRNA news agency.
IRAN DIGS MASSIVE TRENCHES TO BURY CORONAVIRUS DEAD, REPORT SAYS
Iran is believed to have around 110,000 hospital beds, including 30,000 in the capital, Tehran. Authorities have pledged to set up mobile clinics as needed.
Zali also acknowledged that “many” of those who have died from the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus were otherwise healthy, a rare admission by local authorities that the virus does not only prey on the sick and elderly.
Firefighters disinfect a street against the new coronavirus in western Tehran on Friday as the virus continues to spread throughout the nation. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) Health Ministry figures show that while 55 percent of fatalities were in their 60s, some 15 percent were younger than 40.
The virus has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed more than 5,800. More than 70,000 people worldwide have recovered after being infected.
For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. Most people recover in a matter of weeks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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Your debit, credit cards may stop working from today
Your debit and credit cards may get disabled for online platforms from today.
The Reserve Bank of India has recently introduced a host of new measures
These changes are being done to curb banking fraud and misuse of cards.
All the new debit and credit cards will only be enabled at ATMs and point of sale terminals.
For online transactions, the cardholder would need to approach the bank.
All new debits and credit cards, including those which are reissued will be affected
At the time of issue/re-issue, all cards shall be enabled only at contact based points of usage within India
Cardholders need to approach their bank to enable any other facilities
Online, international and contactless transactions will need approval by the bank
These services won’t be available by default any more.
Customer will need to ask the bank to enable international transactions.
Till now, most banks issued cards that, by default, could be used internationally.
Banks will have the right to deactivate current cards based on risk perception.
Cardholders can also get the facility to set their transaction limits, said RBI.
The regulator has also asked banks to provide 24×7 mobile applications
The whole exercise will be cumbersome for lakhs of card holders across all banks
These customers will have to approach their banks for activation of online services
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ER.NAZIR YATOO MEETS DR FAROOQ ABDULLA ON BEHALF OF PDP
Srinagar Mar 15 : Senior PDP Leader Er. Nazir Yatoo today called upon Dr. Farooq Abdullah and enquired about his well being. Yatoo requested Dr Abdullah that unity is need of hour and PDP President is always ready to support any plan that favours J&K. Yatoo hoped Dr. Abdullah will act statesmanly and initiative a process that makes a clear exist from long suffering.
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Pregnant lady dies of medical negligence at JVC Bemina, alleges family
Srinagar, Mar 15: A pregnant woman from Humhama area of Budgam district Sunday died of alleged medical negligence, family said.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the family of deceased protested this evening after their beloved died at JVC hospital in Bemina.
They said that the deceased identified as Mymoona, wife of Rafiq Ahmad of Humhama Budgam was pregnant and admitted at JVC hospital, adding that she died this evening due to what they called as medical negligence.
Meanwhile, police has rushed to the spot to pacify the protesting family.
Medical Superintendent JVC Bemina, Dr. Shifa A Deva told KNO, that she will take action in this regard tomorrow and will verify what actually has happened and what led to the death of a pregnant lady.
She further stated that she had gone to the hospital this evening also and will verify facts tomorrow—(KNO)
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Disinfect your smartphone every 90 mins to prevent COVID-19
Amid the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has infected 73 people in India and killed more than 4,500 individuals globally, doctors have advised that in addition to regularly washing hands, one should also disinfect their smartphone every 90 minutes with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Ravi Shekhar Jha, Head of Department at Fortis Escorts Hospital in Faridabad said the best method to disinfect your smartphone is to use regular doctor spirit or the alcohol-based hand sanitizer at least every 90 minutes.
“Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. The best option is to use a phone cover or a Bluetooth device and try to touch your phone as less as possible. We would also recommend cleaning your phone at least twice a day,” Jha told IANS.
According to research, published in 2018 by Insurance2Go, a gadget insurance provider, revealed that smartphone screens have three times more germs than a toilet seat.
One in 20 smartphone users was found to clean their phones less than every six months, said the study.
“In the time of fear of coronavirus, smartphones should also be disinfected with alcohol-based sanitizer rub. Pour few drops of sanitizer on a tiny clean cotton pad and rub it safely on your entire phone,” said Jyoti Mutta, Senior Consultant, Microbiology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in New Delhi.
“You can repeat this process every evening coming back home after an entire day out at work and once in the morning before going out,” Mutta added.
“Maintain basic cleanliness, and try to avoid using other’s phones especially if suffering from respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms as there is no other way to disinfect these regular gadgets,” she stressed.
Another study from the University of Surrey in the UK, also found that the home button on your smartphone may be harbouring millions of bacteria – some even harmful.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus as a global pandemic on Wednesday. The death toll of COVID-19 has crossed the 4,500 marks and confirmed cases globally have touched one lakh as per the reports.
According to Suranjeet Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine Department of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, “We should frequently wash our hands, cover our coughs and it is important to adapt to other good hygiene habits that are most important in such a situation.”
“Coronavirus and other germs can live on surfaces like glass, metal or plastics and phones are bacteria-ridden. It is necessary that we sanitize our hands frequently and make sure that our hands are clean all the time,” Chatterjee told IANS.
“The emphasis should be laid on sanitising our hands rather than sanitizing the phone – once in a while the phone can be sanitized under the guidance of the makers of the phone,” Chatterjee stressed.
According to the global health agency, the most effective way to protect yourself against coronavirus is by frequently cleaning of your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.
The WHO’s report showed the virus infects people of all ages, among which older people and those with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of getting infected.
People should eat only well-cooked food, avoid spitting in public, and avoid close contact, the WHO said, adding that it is important for people to seek medical care at the earliest if they become sick.
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Srinagar Police solves theft and forgery case, accused arrested
March 15: Police in Srinagar solved a theft and forgery case reported to Police Post Chanapora and arrested one accused involved in the crime.
Police Post Chanapra received a complaint from Javaid Ahmad Mir resident of Muchgam Budgam that some unknown person stole his cheques and has withdrawn an amount of ₹38000.
A case FIR No. 48/2020 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Sadder and investigation was initiated.
Consequently, a special team was constituted under the supervision of SDPO Sadder Dr. Azhar Rashid-JKPS, SHO Sadder and DO PP Chanapora.
During the course of investigation CCTV footage from the concerned bank was obtained which led to the identification of one accused namely Musaib Yaseen resident of Chanapora Srinagar who was subsequently arrested.
During the course of investigation and questioning, the accused confessed to his crime. It was further revealed that the accused used to write cheques for the complainant. Taking advantage of his innocence, the accused had stolen cheques and had fraudulently withdrawn amount of ₹38000.
General public of the area have appreciated the swift action of Chanpora Police.
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Preparations for Global Investors Summit hit: Event likely to be postponed
Srinagar, March 15: The spread of the coronavirus has also hit the preparations of first-ever Global Investors Summit-2020 in Jammu and Kashmir and the major event is likely to be postponed, which was scheduled in April.
Jammu and Kashmir administration had embarked on massive preparations to organise first-ever Global Investors Summit-2020 in the Union Territory for which Centre has allotted Rs 50 crore for hosting the mega event.
A senior official of Industries and Commerce Department said the Summit was expected to be held in April this year in Srinagar and Jammu.
“The spread of coronavirus has hit the preparations badly. We had started preparations but have now been put on hold,” a senior government official told Kashmir Indepth New Service (KINS).
He said Indian Railways was also scheduled to hold a major event in Srinagar in the first week of March, which was also canceled in view spread of coronavirus.
He said the Centre has allotted Rs 50 crore for the event.
“The amount was to be spent on publicity, accommodation, travel, special cars and other arrangements for visitors,” the official said.
The official said Summit is being organised with the theme of ‘EXPLORE, INVEST and GROW’ aimed to bring together senior entrepreneurs, leaders from corporate sectors across the world.
“The event was to see strategic sectoral sessions, technical presentations, round table deliberations, partnerships, one-to-one business and signing of a memorandum of understanding,” the official said.
The official said that delegates were scheduled to be taken to picturesque spots in the valley. “Several hotels along the banks of Dal Lake were also booked for the delegates. But the event won’t be held in April now in view spread of coronavirus,” the official said.
Government has identified over 20,000 kanals of land and will be open for outside investors.
Confederation of Indian Industry has been selected as the national partner, while Earnest Young, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and Expro have been selected as knowledge, media and event partner. Pre-summit investors meet was held in New Delhi in January.
At the meet, Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu said that the government for the first time was making an attempt to promote investment in J&K.
“This is the dawn of new era for the growth, development and overall well-being of the people of J&K,” he has said.
Government has identified 14 sectors for prioritizing efforts for the investment in J&K. These include Manufacturing, IT sector, tourism hospitality, film production, agriculture, milk poultry, wool production processing silk, handlooms, handicrafts, healthcare, medicinal plants, education, skill development infrastructure, and real estate.
“The investors Summit will provide an opportunity to allay fears and apprehensions from the minds of the outside business community about investment in J&K. It will present immense opportunities to develop contacts between the local and outside the business community and will provide not only primary employment but also generate secondary and ancillary employment opportunities for youth,” Chief Secretary B.V.R Subrahmanyam has said. (KINS)
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Coronavirus scare: Srinagar turns ghost city on Sunday
Photo © Masrat Zehra
Srinagar, March 15: Amid growing scare of coronavirus, Srinagar city on Sunday turned into a ghost city with empty walkways, streets, and very little transport and other business establishments.
With the increase in many positive cases for coronavirus in India, administration in four districts of Jammu and Kashmir had already imposed restrictions over the gathering of more than five persons at any public place with immediate for the period of one month.
Amid fear of coronavirus in the capital city, Srinagar on Sunday wore a deserted look with less number of people were seen standing in the busiest markets of Srinagar.
Reports said all the main routes in the capital city were devoid of traffic, with very less number of vehicles were seen plying on Sunday; people wearing masks were seen almost at every place in the city.
Sunday market on the three-km long road stretch from Radio Kashmir to Lal Chowk which usually attracts thousands of customers from different parts of the valley on Sunday was deserted as vendors were not allowed to put up their stalls in the market.
Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattoo last week ordered the closure of the Sunday market as a precautionary measure because of COVID-19.
In view of the COVID-19 threat, the government had ordered the closure of all educational institution including colleges, universities across Jammu’ and Kashmir, besides control rooms and surveillance teams have been constituted in all the districts of Union Territory besides two coronavirus lab testing facilities had already been made functional in SKIMS, Srinagar and GMC Jammu.
Govt also had urged citizens especially those with travel history to affected countries such as China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, etc to self declare immediately and to report to the nearest government health facility If any symptoms are found.
Pertinent to mention here an official of SKIMS told Kashmir Indepth News Service, no patient has tested positive of coronavirus in Kashmir so far. (KINS)
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Div Com, Baseer Khan appointed as Advisor to Lt Governor JK
Srinagar, Mar 15: Incumbent Divisional Commissioner ofKashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan was on Sunday appointed as the fourth Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Jammu and Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the letter sent by the Deputy Secretary to Government of India, Anandi Venkateswaran to Chief Secretary Jammu and Kashmir reads that “the undersigned is directed to convey approval of the competent authority in this ministry to the appointment of Shri Baseer Ahmad Khan, IAS(JK-2000), as Advisor to Lt. Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for effective discharge of his functions as Lt. Governor during the period of the notification SO3937 (E) dated 31st October, 2019 or until further orders, which ever is earlier.”
“The appointment will be effective from the date from which he assumes charge.
The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is directed to issue necessary orders with regard to the terms and conditions of his appointment under intimation of this ministry,” the letter issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs.