3 SKIMS Doctors Discharged, Hospital Cancels Holidays; 3611 Persons Under Surveillance In J&K
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, March 20 (GNS): Nine more persons on Saturday tested negative for coronavirus in Kashmir Valley even as over 3600 people have been enlisted for surveillance in entire Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
They said two more persons with symptoms-like coronavirus were admitted to SKIMS hospital and their samples have been sent for tests to confirm or rule-out the pathogen. In a related development, SKIMS also announced cancellation of holidays.
Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS, Dr G H Yatoo, told GNS that test reports of three persons was awaited.
Dr Yatoo, who is also HoD hospital administration of SKIMS, informed that two persons, with travel history to Saudi Arabia and Thailand, were admitted today at the isolation facility set up at the tertiary care hospital.
Professor Farooq Ahmad Jan, the medical superintendent of SKIMS, told GNS that three doctors, two of whom had come in contact with only covid-19 patient, have been discharged after their samples came out to be negative. “They have been sent to home quarantine. One more doctor who had travel history to Amritsar was also discharged as he did fit in criteria,” he said. Meanwhile, according to a notification by Director SKIMS, all holidays have been cancelled including on Sundays.
Meanwhile HOD CD Hospital Srinagar Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah told GNS that one more person with symptoms like coronoavirus was admitted to the isolation facility set up at the hospital.
He said nine samples were tested and all of them came to be negative.
So far, only one person has tested positive for the coronavirus in Kashmir Valley. The number of such patients in Jammu is three.
Meanwhile the Government informed that 3611 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation.
According to the daily media bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19) 2557 persons have been kept under home quarantine while as 50 are in hospital quarantine.
Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 584 while as 420 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.
It said that 213 samples have been sent for testing of which 205 tested as negative and only four cases have tested positive, so far while as four reports are awaited.
Meanwhile, a 24×7 toll free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676(UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982(Jammu Division),0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581(Kashmir Division).
The government has appealed that any person with travel history to COVID-19 affected countries or person in contact with such a traveller, whether they are having symptoms or not, must remain in 14 days home quarantine. If any person feels unwell having cough, fever or difficulty in breathing that person should avoid exposure to others and seek medical care at the earliest.
The Government has also urged the general public to maintain social distancing as it is the key to stop and prevent the spread of Covid-19 from those who are infected.
“The intervention includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible,” the Government advisory said.
Further, the Government has appealed people to not panic and take care of health and protect others.
“Public in general is advised to avoid un-necessary travel and use of public transport. Avoid un-necessary travel and use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent handwashing with soap and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added. (GNS)