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Admin Orders Probe Against SKIMS Medical College Bemina; Silent Against SKIMS Soura

Srinagar, March 26 (GNS): An elderly, who unfortunately become first casualty of novel coronavirus in Kashmir Valley, had reported to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Medical College Hospital Bemina as well as SKIMS Soura four days before he was actually admitted to CD Hospital, documents in possession of Global News Service (GNS) revealed.

The Patient Registration Card (SKIMS Soura No: 1688142) of the 65-year-old, a resident of Hyderpora who originally hails from Sopore, mentions his travel history: “traveled to Andaman Islands on February 15 and returned to Srinagar. Srinagar to Delhi (March 5), Delhi To UP (March 8), UP to Jammu (March 16).”

The doctors had advised him quarantine, maintaining hygiene and avoid social gathering. However, the questions that are being raised now is why the sexagenarian was not moved to quarantine when doctors suspected him to be a strong suspected case of coronavirus and allowed him to move. Prior to visiting SKIMS Soura, Kashmir’s tertiary care hospital, the elderly had visited SKIMS Bemina and mentioned entire details including travel history and the people he met during the travel.

The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole on Wednesday (March 25) ordered an inquiry into possible negligence by concerned at SKIMS Bemina, underling it has led a “lot of confusion and vulnerability amongst masses.” However, the inquiry order does not encompass SKIMS Soura where the elderly had visited on the same day with patient registration card showing that he had visited the better-equipped hospital around 12 noon on March 21.

The inquiry order, a copy of which lies with GNS, states that Principal SKIMS Medical College, Hospital Bemina, vide his communication (No. SKIMS-MC-PS/2020/399) on 25-03-2020 had submitted a report, indicating therein that the 65-year-old reported to Casualty of SKIMS Medical College Hospital Bemina on March 21 at 08:30 AM alongwith his travel history and that he was found to be a “COVI019 suspect”.

The report also revealed that the patient who was later tested positive for COV1D-19 has not been handled as per the protocol required for treating such patients.

Despite knowing the travel history of the patient and observing his symptoms, the Hospital Administration did not bring it into the notice of Divisional, District and Police authorities when he left the hospital without getting admitted, it noted.

“The patient has been given ample time to spread the virus by intermingling with the public and relatives,” the Divisional Commissioner noted, adding, “Negligence at the hands of Hospital Administration has resulted in a lot of confusion and vulnerability amongst masses.”

Taking all aspects into the consideration, the divisional commissioner Kashmir has asked Medical Superintendent SKIMS Bemina and Head of the Department, Chest Medicine SKIMS Bemina, “to explain their position forthwith.”

“In the meantime, Tassaduq Hussain Mir (KAS), Additional Commissioner Kashmir shall enquire into the matter for exemplary action against these officers under rules,” the order states.

The inquiry officer has been asked to submit the report within two days positively. “Besides, Hospital Administration shall assist the enquiry officer in culmination of the enquiry,” the order adds. (GNS)

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Global News Service (GNS)
Magarmal Bagh, Srinagar, (J&K)
*Phone: 0194-2480152, 9419049145
*Email: [email protected]

Islamic Scholars say only family members must offer funeral prayers after wearing proper kits, Grave to be dug 8 feet deep, says Health Expert, close relations must wear protective gear

Srinagar, March 26: With Kashmir registered first Covid-19 dead, the guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have strongly stressed that there should be no bathing, kissing, hugging and reciting of verses while as body should be transported in a secured bag. Health experts have stressed that the grave for the person should be dug eight feet deep instead of six feet.

According to the MHA guidelines to be followed for transporting and burial of Covid-19 patients, there should be no bathing, kissing, hugging and reciting of verses as “it’s not allowed at all.” “The body of the person should be transported in a secured bag and the vehicle in which he is transported has to be decontaminated by the trained staff who should be wearing N-95 masks and protection equipment,” read the guidelines available with the wire service — Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Taking to KNO, Islamic Scholars of various schools of thoughts in unison said that medical science can’t be ignored and whatever directions there are in the guidelines need to be followed. “As far the funeral of the person, only family members should participate in the funeral and burial after wearing the protection kit,” they said.

Today morning, Kashmir witnessed first death of a Covid-19 patient from Hyderpora, who had a travel history of outside J&K as he was part of Tableegi Jamaat. Dr Naveed, Head of Department, at Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar, told KNO that no one from the family should go closer to the body and if someone from the family wants to see the face, he/she has to wear a complete protective gear.

“Burial bath is not recommended for the body. Grave for him should be dug eight feet deep instead of normal six feet,” he said. As far funeral prayers, he said those intending to offer funeral should wear protective kit and maintain sufficient distance between the body and people

— (KNO)

By: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Am I at risk if I touch someone who died of COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to mainly spread from close contact (i.e., within about 6 feet) with a person who is currently sick with COVID-19.

The virus likely spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory infections spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. This type of spread is not a concern after death.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

People should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19.

Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. There may be less of a chance of the virus spreading from certain types of touching, such as holding the hand or hugging after the body has been prepared for viewing.

Other activities, such as kissing, washing, and shrouding should be avoided before, during, and after the body has been prepared, if possible. If washing the body or shrouding are important religious or cultural practices, families are encouraged to work with their community cultural and religious leaders and funeral home staff on how to reduce their exposure as much as possible.

At a minimum, people conducting these activities should wear disposable gloves. If splashing of fluids is expected, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required (such as disposable gown, faceshield or goggles and facemask).

Cleaning should be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. After removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Soap and water should be used if the hands are visibly soiled.

Am I at risk if I go a funeral for someone who died of COVID-19?

There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19.

What do funeral Home Workers need to know about handling Decedents who had COVID-19?

A funeral or visitation service can be held for a person who has died of COVID-19. Funeral home workers should follow their routine infection prevention and control precautions when handling a decedent who died of COVID-19.

If it is necessary to transfer a body to a bag, follow Standard Precautions, including additional personal protective equipment (PPE) if splashing of fluids is expected. For transporting a body after the body has been bagged, disinfect the outside of the bag with a product with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). Wear disposable nitrile gloves when handling the body bag.

Embalming can be conducted. During embalming, follow Standard Precautions including the use of additional PPE if splashing is expected (e.g. disposable gown, faceshield or goggles and facemask). Wear appropriate respiratory protection if any procedures will generate aerosols or if required for chemicals used in accordance with the manufacturer’s label. Wear heavy-duty gloves over nitrile disposable gloves if there is a risk of cuts, puncture wounds, or other injuries that break the skin. Additional information on how to safely conduct aerosol-generating procedures is in the CDC’s Postmortem Guidance. Cleaning should be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claimspdf iconexternal icon are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

After cleaning and removal of PPE, perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available. Soap and water should be used if the hands are visibly soiled.

Decedents with COVID-19 can be buried or cremated, but check for any additional state and local requirements that may dictate the handling and disposition of the remains of individuals who have died of certain infectious diseases.

First COVID19 death in Kashmir. 65 year old man From Hyderpora who was tested positive died at Srinagar’s CD hospital.

A large number of people have come in contact with him. Four of them were tested positive for COVID19 yesterday.

Srinagar, March 26 (GNS): A 65-year-old man infected with the coronavirus died at Chest Disease (CD) hospital Dalgate, Srinagar in the early hours of Thursday, Kashmir’s first recorded death due to the disease, official sources told GNS.

The man had a medical history of illness with Diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

“Despite our best efforts, the COVID-19 positive patient at Chest Disease Hospital passed away due to cardiac arrest. The patient had medical history of illness with Sugar, hypertension, obesity,” they said.

The patient is said to be a resident of Hyderpora Srinagar (originally, a resident of Sopore) who had returned from New Delhi, UP, Jammu recently after being part of a ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ attended by people from Indonesia and Malaysia.

As of now, eight persons have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Kashmir Valley while the tally of such patients in the entire J&K has gone up to 11. Three cases were reported from Jammu earlier this month. (GNS)