Author: hamid

80% of people who died from the virus were above 60 years of age

Srinagar Mar 15: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Sunday said older people are more vulnerable to develop severe illness and death from the novel (new) coronavirus that has so far killed at least 5,839 people and infected 156,885 worldwide.
“If you are old, you are at a higher risk of having a severe disease and even death from the novel virus,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
Based on data from confirmed cases of the novel virus, Dr Nisar said about 80% of people who died from the virus were above 60 years of age.
“The highest death rate was in people over the age of 80,” he said adding “around 15% of people in this age group died from the disease.”
Dr Nisar said people with underlying chronic medical conditions also increase the risk of dying from the new virus.
He said while the fatality rate in patients with no health conditions was 1.4%, it was 13.2% for those with heart disease, 9.2% for those with diabetes, 8.4% for people with high blood pressure, 8% for people with chronic lung disease, and 7.6% for those with cancer.
Dr Nisar said elderly and people with medical conditions have weak immune system that promotes viral replication leaving them at a higher risk of developing severe complications from the virus.
He said it is important to remember that older people may not manifest with the usual symptoms of the novel coronavirus that are fever and cough.
“We should be alert for atypical presentations in them,” Dr Nisar said.
“Feeling weak or changes in mental status might be the only signs of infection in older people. A fall or forgetfulness or feeling of unwellness in an elderly could be due to the viral illness, even if other, more common symptoms aren’t in evidence,” he said.
“Older people and those with comorbidities should take extra precautions to prevent the contraction of virus. Apart from maintaining personal hygiene by hand washing, they should try to stay home as much as they can, and avoid crowds and nonessential travel,” said Dr Nisar.

‘No reason to call for praying at home when Kashmir is virus free so far, Will take a call if situation worsens God forbid’

Srinagar, March 15: Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Nasir-ul-Islam on Sunday said the Islamic law—shariah doesn’t permit avoiding religious congregations including Friday prayers when the pendemic like Coronavirus has not even spread in Kashmir. He said time is ripe for organizing congregational repentance prayers in masjids across Kashmir and the Imams are advised upon to lead such prayers to seek Allah’s refuge from the Covid-19.

According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Grand Mufti said that, however, was quick to add that in case god-forbid, anybody tests positive in Kashmir, which is not the case so far, the Ulema will sit and unanimously decide about the “strategy to be adopted.”

“I don’t see any reason to call for banning congregational prayers at masjids and shrines as the virus has not spread in Kashmir yet. As per the official figures, not a single case has tested positive and we should be thankful to Almighty Allah for that,” Mufti Nasir said. He urged Imams and Molvis of all the shrines and masjids across Kashmir to organize prayers for repentance across Kashmir to seek Allah’s refuge from the deadly virus.

The Grand Mufti, as per KNO, said that every day, there should be “mass repentance prayers in every masjid across the Valley.” “There is no need to avoid congregational prayers of Fridays or other prayers of the day. People should not make Covid-19 an excuse to offer prayers at home. Islam doesn’t allow lame excuses and there should be solid reason to pray at home, which I don’t see anywhere,” he said.

As per official figures, only two cases have tested positive in Jammu region of J&K while as no case has been tested positive in Kashmir so far even though hundreds of people have been screened and over 1000 samples taken for testing so far—(KNO)

Srinagar, 15 March, 2020: A day after his release from detention under PSA, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah underlined the importance of free exchange of ideas and urged all political leaders here to unite in demand of bringing back all J&K detainees from outside J&K, pending their release.

His Full Statement:

I have consciously avoided making any political statements since I was released from detention on the 13th of March. While I believe a free & frank exchange of political views is essential so that we can take stock of the momentous changes that J&K has seen after 5th August 2019 we are still some way away from an environment where such political discourse will be possible. This is especially so considering the number of people detained in August last year who remain in jails outside J&K.

I am acutely aware that compared to hundreds of Kashmiri families I have been far more fortunate. I was detained at home & my family had access to me. Yesterday when I went to meet my son Omar, also detained under the Public Safety Act, I had to travel a kilometre from my home to be able to see him. For families of most of the detainees meeting their loved ones is not nearly as easy. Their loved ones have been detained in jails spread across a number of states. They get two visits a month for which they have to spend large sums of money they can ill afford traveling to & staying in the vicinity of these prisons.

The already onerous financial burden is made worse by the health risk they now face because of COVID-19. At a time when people are being advised not to travel these families are being forced to put their lives at risk in order to meet their loved ones for a few short but very precious hours.

Before we allow politics to divide us I appeal to all political leaders here to unite behind the call to the union government to bring back all detainees from J&K in prisons outside pending their release. While we would like to see them all released as soon as possible, pending that they should be shifted to J&K. This is a humanitarian demand & I hope others will join me in placing this demand in front of the government of India.

(National conference)

Internet services snapped in area

Jahangeer Ganaie

Anantnag, Mar 15 (KNO): Top commanders of lashkar Toiba  and  Jaish -e Muhammad   are among four militants  killed in an encounter with government forces in Watergam area of Anantnag district  in south Kashmir on Sunday.

According to wire Service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), four militants were killed in brief exchange of gunfire with joint team of security forces within a house. 

DIG South Kashmir Atul Goyal told KNO said that acting on specific inputs on intervening night of Saturday – Sunday a joint  search operation was launched in the area.

As the searches were intensified, hiding militants fired upon the joint  forces  approaching towards suspected spot which was retaliated heavily  triggering off  an encounter, resulted in killing of four militants, Goyal said.

On being asked there was no fire from militants, “militants tried to break the cordon and flee after which forces fired and managed to kill all four hiding  militants without causing injury to any of forces personnel”, he said.

Goyal furthermore said that incriminating material including arms and ammunition has been recovered from the slain militants.

An official identified the slain militants as Muzaffar Ahmad and Umar Ahmad from Sopat village of Kulgam and Gulzar

Ahmad from Tarigam village and Sajad Ahmad from Tengbal Frisal village of Kulgam.

He added that Muzzafar, umar and sajad were associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) while as Gulzar was associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)

He added that Muzzafar and Gulzar were operating as top commanders of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in the area.

The official further said that exchange too place at a hideout within  the  house of Fayaz Ahmad Dar, a local.

Meanwhile as a precautionary measure internet services have been suspended in Anantnag and kulgam district—(KNO)

Srinagar, March 15: Forces on Sunday afternoon fired some shots in air aftera suspicious Maruati vehicle ignored a singal to stop at naka party in Chursu area of Awantipora in Pulwama district.

An official told wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that a maruti vechile on way from Srinagar towards Anantnag was asked to stop at Barsoo, Awantipora but driver didnt stop and escaped from the spot.

After that same vehicle was asked to stop at charsoo Awantipora but the driver gained speed and managed to give slip to forces after which forces present fired few shots in air, he added.—(KNO)

Further details awaited

Rajouri, March 15 (GNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has placed under suspension medical superintendent of Associated Hospital Rajouri, Dr. Raghuvir Singh, for disclosing name of person who was recognized as a potential coronavirus (Covid-19) patient in the district.

As per protocol, if any suspect case comes under tracking, it is imperative for the Health Department to keep the same person firstly either in Home Quarantine or in quarantine ward established in Hospitals, till incubation period and samples are to be sent at designated laboratories for further diagnosis.

One person who had returned from Saudi Arabia and suffering from fever and Cold was brought to Associated Hospital, Rajouri on Saturday morning and doctors decided to keep him in Isolation ward there as a suspect case of novel corona virus.

The Medical Superintendent wrote a letter to the incharge Police Post, GMC and AH Rajouri, wherein he clearly mentioned the identity of the suspect, which is against the ruling of the Supreme Court where privacy of the patient is to be maintained, reads an order by Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, a copy of which lies with GNS .

“Due to the disclosure of privacy of the suspect case, panic was spread among his relatives who met him, after his arrival, residing in the area where the suspect belongs to, which made the situation more worsen (sic),” reads the order.

“Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, etiquettes & Ethics) Regulations, 2002 stresses that confidence concerning Individual or domestic life, entrusted by patient to a physician and defects in the disposition or character of the patients observed during medical attendance should never be revealed unless their revelation is required by the Laws of the State or Union Territory”.

Under Rule 7.14 of the Regulations 2002, it is imperative that the registered Medical practitioner shall not disclose the secret of patient, that have been learnt in the exercise of his/her profession except 1 in a court of Law under order of presiding Judge or in circumstances where there is serious identified risk to a specific person or commodity and in notifiable disease.

“…Pending enquiry, Dr. Raghuvir Singh, Medical Superintendent, AH GMC Rajouri is hereby placed under suspension, for sharing the details of the patient and not maintaining the privacy, which is sheer violation of Charter of Patients’ rights, issued by Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Gol and Professional conduct rules of Medical Council of India & dereliction of duties,” the deputy commissioner ordered.

He has been attached with the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Rajouri during the period of suspension. Principal Govt Medical College Rajouri has been asked to make alternate arrangement, so that work may not suffer in the Associated Hospital, GMC Rajouri. (GNS)

Srinagar, March 15: Four militants were killed in an ongoing gunfight with government forces in Watrigam village of South Kashmir’s Anantnag distrct on Sunday.

Reports reaching GNS said that a joint team of army’s 19 RR and SOG Anantnag launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Watergam village today early in the morning.

As the joint team of forces tightened the cordon around the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering off an encounter.

As per the official sources, four militants were killed during the exchange of firing. However, the identification of the militants have not been immediately ascertained.(GNS)

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