JAMMU, APRIL 19: The Government Sunday informed that 09 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (08 from Kashmir division and 01 from Jammu division), have been reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 350.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 350 positive cases, 289 are Active Positive, 56 have recovered and 05 have died.
Furthermore, till date 61331 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 5939 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 289 in Hospital Isolation, 264 in hospital Quarantine and 23868 under home surveillance. Besides, 30966 persons have completed their surveillance period so far.
Moreover 05 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged today from JLNM Hospital Srinagar.
The Bulletin further said that out of 7895 test results available, 7545 samples have tested as negative till April 19, 2020.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 81 positive cases wherein 69 are Active Positive, 11 recovered and 01has died, Srinagar 79 positive cases with 56 Active Positive, 22 recovered and 01 died, Baramulla 43 positive cases with 41 Active Positive, and 02 died; Kupwara has 31 positive cases and all are active cases; Shopian has 22 positive with 20 Active Positive, 02 recovered; Ganderbal has 14 positive cases and all are Active Positive, Budgam 13 positive cases of which 06 are Active Positive with 07 recovered cases; Kulgam has 06 cases and all are Active Positive; Pulwama 03 positive cases with 02 Active Positive, 01 recovered; Anantnag district has 03 positive case and all are Active Positive.
Similarly, Jammu has 26 positive cases of whom 22 are Active Positive and 04 have recovered, Udhampur 20 positive cases of which 14 are Active Positive, 05 recovered and 01 died, while as Samba district has
04 positive cases and all are Active Positive; Rajouri has 04 positive cases, 01 active positive and 03 cases have recovered. Meanwhile, Kishtwar has only 01 positive case who has recovered.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI has issued advisory against spraying of disinfectants such as Sodium Hypochlorite on people to disinfect them for COVID-19 management.
According to the advisory, spraying of individuals or groups is not recommended under any circumstances. “Spraying an individual or group with chemical disinfectants is physically and psychologically harmful.”
Furthermore, even if a person is potentially exposed with the COVID-19 virus, spraying the external part of the body does not kill the virus that has entered the body. Also there is no scientific evidence to suggest that they are effective even in disinfecting the outer clothing /body in an effective manner, the advisory said.
Spraying of chlorine on individuals, advisory said can lead to irritation of eyes and skin and potentially gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting. Inhalation of Sodium Hypochlorite can lead to irritation of mucous membranes to the nose, throat, respiratory tract and may also cause bronchospasm.
Additionally, use of such measures may in fact lead to a false sense of disinfection & safety and actually hamper public observance to hand washing and social distancing measures.
Terming COVID-19 as a highly contagious disease which can affect anyone, the advisory further said that for protection against this disease, people are requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures.
People are advised to take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes and wearing mask or face cover while moving out of their homes.
People, the advisory said, must avoid close contact with anyone that has fever and cough and in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly.
People should call on Covid-19 helpline Numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.
In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their door steps by calling on toll free No. 108 while pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll free No. 102.
People can also call on toll free national helpline number 1075; J&K Covid-19 Helpline No.s 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581(For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19).
Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and are urged to rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.
People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.
