Srinagar, April 7, KNT: An elderly person from North Kashmir’s Hajin town died at SMHS Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
Medical Superintendent SMHS, Dr Nazir Chowdary told KNT that the man was suffering from Pneumonia and was admitted in the hospital on Monday.
“I have been waiting for the report and I can’t tell you whether the person was a Covid-19 patient or not, but, yes, he was suffering from Pneumonia,” Chowdary said adding that he is ascertaining the facts. (KNT)
Mass promotion also for students who were to appear in bi-annual/private class 11 in Kashmir
Srinagar, Apr 07: The authorities in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday decided to give mass promotion to the students from classes 1st to 9th and for class 11th in Jammu division in view of the prevailing situation due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
According the wire service –Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the order was issued today by deputy secretary to the government, school education department, Jammu and Kashmir.
The government has also directed that the students who were to appear in bi-annual/private Class 11 examination in Kashmir division also be considered for mass promotion—(KNO)
Srinagar, Apr 07: After ovrr seven months of incarceration, the former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti was on Tuesday shifted to her Gupkar residence where she has been kept under house detention. Her Gupkar residence has been declared as a subsidiary jail.
Officials told wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that Mehbooba has been shifted to her residential place in Gupkar and has been kept under house detention.
She was detained on August 5, last year, when the government in centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union Territories.
Meanwhile, the government has declared Fairview Gupkar as a subsidiary jail.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (b) of section 2 of the Prisoners Act, 1990, the government hereby declares Fairview, Gupkar Road, Srinagar as “Subsidiary Jail”,” an order issued by Principal Secretary to Government, Shaleen Kabra, reads.
Meanwhile, former chief minister and National Conference vice president, Omar Abdullah in his tweet said that Mehbooba must be released fully.
“@MehboobaMufti must be set free. Shifting her home while continuing to keep her detained is a cop out,” Omar tweeted—(KNO)
Orders from other countries for hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol will be cleared only after meeting all domestic requirements, people familiar with the development said.
India has said it will supply paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine to countries ‘particularly badly affected’ by the coronavirus pandemic even as US President Donald Trump warned of ‘retaliation’ if the Indian government did not allow the export of anti-malarial drugs.
“In view of the humanitarian aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
“We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic. We would, therefore, discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise the matter,” Srivastava said.
India has partially eased restrictions on the export of hydroxychloroquine. People familiar with developments said orders from other countries for hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol will be cleared only after meeting all domestic requirements. They spoke on condition of anonymity.
This came hours after Donald Trump requested the lifting of the hold on hydroxychloroquine exports during a telephone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
Trump also warned of retaliation if India did not take up his request to lift the hold on US orders of the antimalarial drug.
“I said we’d appreciate you allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out, that would be okay but, of course, there may be retaliation,” Trump said. “Why wouldn’t that be?”
The orders for the medicine were placed by the United States in March.
“I don’t like that decision… I didn’t hear that that was his [Modi’s] decision. I know that he stopped it for other countries. I spoke to him yesterday [Sunday]. We had a very good talk, and we’ll see whether or not that’s his decision. I would be surprised if he would you know because India does very well with the US,” Trump said.
India had banned the export of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine on March 25 with immediate effect to ensure sufficient availability of the medicine within the country.
India had allowed exports earlier as well to other countries on humanitarian grounds on case to case basis on the recommendation of the ministry of external affairs.
It was also allowed in case of shipments where an irrevocable letter of credit had been issued or in a case where full advance payment has been received by the exporter in India against specific shipment.
The task force for Covid-19 has recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for infections among “asymptomatic healthcare workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19” and “asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases”.
Currently weather is generally cloudy in all three regions.
There’s possibility of a spell of rain with thunderstorm in some parts of Jammu & Kashmir today.
Forecast for next 1 week: Rain with thunderstorm is likely to continue at scattered places of J&K (mainly towards late afternoon and evening).
During next 3 days whereas weather most likely to remain mainly dry during 11-12th.
Thereafter, another spell is likely during 13-14th
Light snow is also possible at some places of Zanskar region of Kargil dist. during above periods.
There’s no forecast of any heavy rain/snow during this week.
Regards.
#MaintainSocialDistance
#Contain
#COVID19
IMD (JK and Ladakh)
The fake message claims that WHO has issued protocol on lockdown in phases to fight against the deadly coronavirus
India is presently under lockdown for 21 days and people are anxious about what the government’s next decision will be once this period ends. Amid this, a viral message attributed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) is being widely circulated, especially on WhatsApp. It claims that WHO has issued a protocol on lockdown in phases to fight against the deadly coronavirus. The misleading claim, however, is fake. Don’t believe it.
The false message claims that the lockdown will be extend till June to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. It even chalks out a timeline of the proposed extended lockdown along with relaxation periods in between.
Here’s the message which is being shared by many, especially on WhatsApp.
WHO took to Twitter to rubbish the claim. “Messages being circulated on social media as WHO protocol for lockdown are baseless and FAKE. WHO does NOT have any protocols for lockdowns,” they tweeted.
Messages being circulated on social media as WHO protocol for lockdown are baseless and FAKE.
— World Health Organization South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) April 5, 2020
WHO does NOT have any protocols for lockdowns. @MoHFW_INDIA @PIB_India @UNinIndia
PIB’s Fact Check handle also tweeted that the claim is fake and mentioned the post by WHO
#PIBFactCheck
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 5, 2020
Claim : A so-called circular, said to be from WHO is floating around on whatsapp, saying that it has announced a lockdown schedule.
Fact : @WHO has already tweeted it as #Fake ⬇️https://t.co/GB7rQ0t9lJ pic.twitter.com/3M5RBLoA3i
So, if you come across any message about WHO’s protocol for lockdown in phases, don’t believe it or forward it. It’s fake.
But the country faces a second wave of infections brought in from overseas
China on Tuesday reported no new coronavirus deaths for the first time since it started publishing figures in January, the National Health Commission said.
Cases in mainland China have been dwindling since March, but the country faces a second wave of infections brought in from overseas, with health officials reporting nearly 1,000 imported cases in total.
China’s health authorities reported 32 new cases nationwide, all of which were imported.
There were also 30 new asymptomatic infections, health officials said, bringing the national total to 1,033. Around a quarter of the current total of asymptomatic cases were also imported from overseas.
Last week, China began disclosing the number of asymptomatic cases for the first time, after growing public concerns over the potential of “silent” carriers to spread the disease.
Fears have also been growing over a potential resurgence in the epicentre of Wuhan, where the virus was first detected late last year.
After a number of asymptomatic cases were confirmed in the central Chinese city, local authorities revoked the “epidemic-free” status of 45 residential compounds on Monday.
To date, 81,740 people have been infected and 3,331 have been killed by the deadly virus in China, with the vast majority in Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province.
Meanwhile, the global death toll from the pandemic has surpassed 70,000 as the virus ravages numerous countries in Europe and the U.S.
Last week Mr. Trump said that he has sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the sale of Hydroxychloroquine tablets ordered by the US to treat the growing number of coronavirus patients in his country, hours after India banned the export of the anti-malarial drug.
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US President Donald Trump has said he would be surprised if India did not allow the export of Hydroxychloroquine tablets to the United States despite a request made to New Delhi over the subject.
I would be surprised if he would, you know, because India does very well with the United States, Mr. Trump told reporters during a press briefing at the White House on Monday.
Hydroxychloroquine tablet is used to prevent and treat malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, among other ailments.
The drug is seen as to offer a viable therapeutic solution to coronavirus that has so far taken the lives of more than 10,000 Americans and infected over 3.6 lakhs, just in a matter of weeks.
Last month, India imposed a ban on export on Hydroxychloroquine, on which Trump is now banking heavily in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
India has received similar requests from several other countries including its immediate neighbours like Sri Lanka and Nepal. India has said that it is reviewing its export ban order.
Notably, India’s decision to ban the exports of Hydroxychloroquine is driven by its desire to take stock of the domestic requirements and ensure that the country has enough in its kitty.
Reiterating that for many years, India has been taking advantage of the US on trade, Trump said that he would be surprised if New Delhi was to stop export of Hydroxychloroquine to the US.
So, I would be surprised if that were his decision. He’d have to tell me that. I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said we’d appreciate your allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out, that would be okay, but of course there may be retaliation. Why wouldn’t there be? Mr. Trump said.
On Monday, a senior State Department official said that India has been a significant partner of the U.S. in the pharmaceutical sector and it expects similar cooperation to continue between the economies.
India has long been a significant partner of the United States and the pharmaceutical sector, Alice G Wells, the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, told reporters during a press briefing.
The Trump administration has already created a national strategic stockpile of 29 million doses of the malaria drug, anticipating that its test results on more than 1,500 COVID-19 patients in New York is yielding positive results.
Scientists have begun testing Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as candidates for potential COVID-19 treatments and the FDA last week issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the prescription of the drugs in certain circumstances.
In addition to New York, COVID-19 patients in several States are being treated with Hydroxychloroquine, including Michigan and Texas.
Three more tested positive for COVID-19 in Kashmir on Monday taking the toll to 109. The authorities have sealed a colony in Srinagar for being a virus hotspot.
“Three new positive cases were detected from the Kashmir division. Of the 109 positive cases, 103 are positive,” a spokesman said.
Around 35,243 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance.
Dr. A.G. Ahanger, Director of the Sher-i-Kashmir Medical Sciences hospital, said 238 of the 283 suspected patients admitted in the hospital were discharged. He said “24 positive patients are under treatment and are all recovering well”.
The administration declared Srinagar’s Chattabal as containment zone and sealed it after several positive cases were reported from the area.
“The sealing is aimed at preventing the spread and to enable smooth conduct of survey to determine the extent of spread,” district Magistrate, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said.
“A plan has been formulated for ensuring smooth supplies of essential commodities and services in the area. Medical teams will also move under strict supervision,” he said.
With inputs from The Hindu
“The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to an intensive care unit on Monday after his coronavirus symptoms worsened, but his Downing Street office said he was still conscious.
Britain has no formal succession plan should the prime minister become incapacitated, but Johnson, 55, asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise for him.
Mr. Johnson was admitted to hospital on Sunday night and had been undergoing tests after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms, including a high temperature, for more than 10 days.
Downing Street had said he was in good spirits and still in charge, though at about 1800 GMT he was moved to an intensive care unit – where the most serious cases are treated – at St Thomas’ hospital, across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament in central London.
“Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital,” a spokesman for his office said.
“The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary,” Downing Street said. “The PM remains conscious at this time.”
Downing Street said he had been moved to the intensive care unit as “a precaution should he require ventilation to aid his recovery”.
Mr. Johnson, 55, tested positive for the virus on March 26.
His spokesman had earlier urged caution about media reports that Johnson was receiving oxygen treatment, but refused to answer directly after being asked whether he had pneumonia.
The Times newspaper and ITV correspondent Robert Peston said Johnson had received oxygen.
Mr. Raab, 46, chaired the government’s emergency COVID-19 meeting on Monday.
Mr. Johnson’s pregnant partner, Carrie Symonds, moved out of Downing Street after some staff fell ill. But she said on Saturday she had just spent a week in bed with symptoms, although she has not been tested.
Mr. Johnson’s spokesman would not confirm a report in The Times newspaper reported that the prime minister had been given oxygen treatment.
“Doctors will be monitoring important vital signs such as oxygen saturations,” said Rupert Beale, group leader at the cell biology of infection laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute.
He said they would also check Mr. Johnson’s blood to “see what the immune response to the virus looks like, and to assess liver and kidney function”, and may also perform an electrocardiogram to check the heart.
KEIR STARMER, LEADER OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION LABOUR PARTY: “Terribly sad news. All the country’s thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
LONDON MAYOR SADIQ KHAN: “Praying for the Prime Minister’s swift recovery tonight. @GSTTnhs (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS) has some of the finest medical staff in the world, and he couldn’t be in safer hands.”
LIZ TRUSS, BRITISH TRADE MINISTER: “My thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family as he is moved into intensive care this evening. Wishing him a speedy recovery.”
ED DAVEY, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: “Thoughts are with Boris Johnson & his family at this latest news – best wishes for an early full recovery. Thanks to all NHS & social care staff looking after anyone who is ill tonight. “Together we must beat #Covid_19”
IAN BLACKFORD, WESTMINSTER LEADER OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY: “So sorry to hear that @BorisJohnson is now in intensive care. This is very worrying news. Thoughts and prayers with Boris (his fiancşe) @carriesymonds and all their family. This is such a terrible virus that we all must take seriously. Get well soon Boris, look forward to you being back.”
RISHI SUNAK, FINANCE MINISTER: “My thoughts tonight are with Boris Johnson and (his fiancee) Carrie Symonds. I know he’ll be getting the best care possible and will come out of this even stronger.”
LINDSAY HOYLE, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS: “This is terrible news. I know the thoughts and prayers of everyone across the House are with the Prime Minister and his family right now. We all wish him a speedy recovery.”
PRITI PATEL, INTERIOR MINISTER: “My love & thoughts are with Boris Johnson, Carrie Symonds & the Prime Minister’s family. Folded hands (emoji) for you & thinking of you.”