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According to WHO’s March 24 update, globally, over 16,000 people have died, and more than 375,000 have been infected.

The Hindu

India has 610 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 555 are active, according to data from the Health Ministry and State governments. The death toll stands at 12, with Tamil Nadu registering its first death on Wednesday.

The spiralling number of deaths came as Spain entered the 11th day of an unprecedented lockdown to try and rein in the COVID-19 epidemic that has now infected 47,610 people, the health ministry said.

Across the world, only Italy now has a higher death toll than that of Spain. In China, where the virus emerged late last year, 3,281 people have died.

As the authorities stepped up testing, the number of cases showed a 20 % increase on the figures for Tuesday, while the death toll showed a 27% rise over the same period.

Despite the national lockdown imposed on March 14, which is to be extended until April 11, both deaths and infections have continued to mount, with officials warning this week would be particularly bad.

“We are approaching the peak,” the ministry’s emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon said in announcing the figures.

Health authorities are hoping it will soon become clear whether the lockdown is having the desired effect.

The Madrid region has suffered the brunt of the epidemic with 14,597 infections — just under a third of the total — and 1,825 deaths, or 53% of the national figure.

With hospitals on the brink of collapse from the surge in patients, troops have set up a massive field hospital in Madrid’s vast IFEMA exhibition centre, which currently has 1,500 beds but which could be expanded to take in up to 5,500 people — making it the largest hospital in Spain.

With the city’s funeral services overwhelmed, officials have commandeered the Palacio de Hielo ice skating rink to serve as a temporary morgue.

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

Only designated essential services officials to be allowed to move on production of movement passes: DM

SRINAGAR, MARCH 25: In the wake of the surfacing of two more coronavirus positive cases in the district the District Magistrate Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has ordered imposition of very strict restrictions in the district.

The order issued under Section 144 of CrPC states that there shall be complete restrictions on public movement including private transport and operation of businesses and activities across the district up to April 15.

It states that only officials of essential services departments as designated and certified by their heads will be allowed to move on the production of movement passes issued by the District Magistrate adding that the lowest minimum number of officials are being provided passes and allowed to move.

The order states that doctors, paramedical staff, ambulance operators and those officials assigned by the district disaster management authority on COVID-19 emergency response duty will be allowed to move on production of valid identify cards.

Concerned agencies have been asked to ensure strict implementation of the order and strict action against violators.

The order states that the decision to impose strict restrictions has been taken as a preventive measure in view of the increased number of coronavirus positive cases — now grown to three — surfacing in the district and are aimed at containing spread of the infection.

Dr Shahid appealed to the general public to cooperate with the administration and ensure strict adherence to the order. He said violation of the order would constitute criminal offence and attract strict action under Section 188 of IPC.

He said the district administration has put in place a mechanism to ensure uninterrupted supplies and deliveries of essential services to the general public of the district. He said essential commodities will be home-delivered to residents as part of this mechanism.

These restrictions will come into effect from midnight tonight and will remain enforced till April 15.

Srinagar, March 25: Mutahida Majlis Ulema has made a fervent appeal to people in Kashmir who have a travel history in recent past , to voluntarily report to the concerned quarters.

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Please Note: Footage and Audio were compiled for this clip seperately by someone else and were not filmed together.

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

Srinagar, Mar 25 (KNS): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary on Wednesday appealed people to stay indoors and report to designated screening centers in case of COVID-19 symptoms.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), DC Srinagar tweeted, “Doctors suggest actual cases in community could probably be more than those tested positive. For heaven’s sake stay at homes and report to designated hospitals if you have symptoms/ travel history. Consult on phone before visiting Hospital. Please. Spread the word. #BreakTheChain”.

(KNS)

Srinagar, March 25 (KINS): Two doctors of SMHS Hospital Srinagar who had seen a coronavirus patient have been quarantined.

One of the persons tested positive is from Hyderpora Srinagar who had returned from New Delhi recently after being part of a ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ attended by people from Indonesia and Malaysia.

He had visited JVC SKIMS Bemina on March 21 and then went home. On March 22, he visited SMHS Hospital Srinagar where from he was referred to CD Hospital Srinagar and was tested positive on Tuesday.

One of the doctors who has been quarantined said, “The diagnosed case of COVID 19 was seen by me in SMHS Hospital causality, it is so sad that they lied about history of complete travel and charged on me and my junior when I sent them to CD hospital for testing. I was even asked by a notable senior to send him home. Thank God I did not.”

In his social media post he wrote, “I have fever and sore throat. I don’t even care of I have contacted it or not, I put my trust in Allah and believe that we are foot-soldiers in this battle. But I would not want someone’s arrogance and lying cost me my parents and friends. Please don’t lie and be arrogant.”

Sources said he and another of his colleague have been quarantined that they might have been infected.
“They are under observation. 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. We are vulnerable to attract infections while treating patients,” a doctor at SMHS Hospital Srinagar said told Kashmir Indepth News Service.

Dr Samia Rashid, Principal Government Medical College Srinagar however said, “We provide protective gear to doctors and other staff whatever is available with us. Even after someone can get infected, what can we do,” she said.

(KINS)

Srinagar, March 25: The 4g internet services would be restored this week in J&K after the state government made a formal request to Home Ministry for its restoration.
A top official in Home Ministry who wished not to be named informed KNS that LG administration has formally written to Home Ministry regarding the restoration of 4g internet services.

Sources in the administration said Lt Governor G C Murmu along with Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary School Education are keen to start e-classes at earliest so that the students do not suffer.

“It was after this understanding that state government wrote to Home Ministry regarding the restoration of 4g internet services,” an official said.
Earlier political leaders, students and their parents, political leaders in unison has sought 4G internet services in the region to allow educational institutes offer e-learning to students amid a seven-month-long lockdown – earlier following the abrogation of Article 370 in August, and now because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The chorus for the restoration of high-speed 4G internet services on mobile phones in Jammu and Kashmir has grown in the wake of the detection of the increased number of cases every day in the valley.

A health official told KNS that doctors across Kashmir are also unable to download the quarantine protocol and treatment procedures due to slow internet speed.

The students and their parents, political leaders in unison has sought 4G internet services in the region to allow educational institutes to offer e-learning to students amid a seven-month-long lockdown – earlier following the abrogation of Article 370 in August, and now because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

All the political leaders from all the parties have appealed the state government to restore 4g internet services.

An educationist said online classes through apps and software like Zoom and Google Classroom is the only option for the students to access study material till schools open and added that high-speed internet facility will help students to learn remotely amid this uncertainty. (KNS)