the Government Monday informed that 18 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), all from Kashmir division, have been reported today thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 368. According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), out of 368 positive cases, 292 are Active Positive, 71 have recovered and 05 have died. Moreover, 15 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged today which include 07 from GMC Baramulla, 06 from SKIMS Soura, and 02 from Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar. Furthermore, till date 61774 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which include 6463 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 229 in Hospital Quarantine, 292 in hospital isolation and 20115 under home surveillance. Besides, 34670 persons have completed their surveillance period. The Bulletin further said that out of 8612 test results available, 8244 samples have tested as negative till April 20, 2020. Providing the district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 91 positive cases wherein 74 are Active Positive, 16 recovered and 01has died, Srinagar 79 positive cases with 54 Active Positive, 24 recovered and 01 died, Baramulla 44 positive cases with 41 Active Positive, 01 recovered, and 02 died; Kupwara has 33 positive cases with 27 Active Positive and 06 recovered; Shopian has 22 positive cases with 20 Active Positive, 02 recovered; Ganderbal has 14 positive cases and all are Active Positive, Budgam 13 positive cases of which 05 are Active Positive with 08 recovered cases; Kulgam has 06 cases and all are Active Positive; Pulwama 03 positive cases with 02 Active Positive, 01 recovered; Anantnag district has 08 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, according to the advisory issued in the media bulletin, COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease which can affect anyone and best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The advisory said that for protection against this disease, people are requested to stay indoors and strictly implement social distancing measures. People are advised to take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent handwashing with soap and water; observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes and wearing mask or face cover while moving out of their homes. As a precautionary measure, the advisory said, no movement of any kind is permitted in and out of Red Zones designated by the administration. It appealed people not to move out even in areas other than red zones, unless absolutely necessary to do so. “If at all you have to go out of home, ensure that you wear a mask or face cover. Wearing of face covers/ masks is mandatory in all public and workplaces,” the advisory added. The advisory informed that all gatherings- religious, social and others continue to be prohibited. While as no inter-district or inter-division movement is permitted. In case there is a medical or other extreme emergency please apply to the concerned Deputy Commissioner/ Divisional Commissioner for permission, the advisory said. Basic, essential activities are permitted, except in Red Zones, but all precautions including sanitisation, social distancing, and use of masks is essential. 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 doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free number 102. People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 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.
