After Colossal Spike in Covid-19 Caseloads in Valley, Authorities Mulling To Re-Impose Lockdown

Health Experts Concerned, Urges People To Follow SOPs

Health Experts Concerned, Urges People To Follow SOPs


Irfan A Mir
Srinagar, July 11 (KNS): After colossal spike in Covid-19 caseloads in Kashmir Valley, Divisional administration is mulling to re-impose lockdown restrictions in coming days after observing people failed to act upon Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Health experts have also expressed serious concern over the mess and have urged people to refrain from violating guidelines which could lead to disaster in coming days.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), there is no let-up in Covid-19 cases in Kashmir Valley from past several days. Health experts have warned that hospitals and other medical facilities could “crumble under pressure” if people doesn’t act upon advisories and administration not to come up for another lockdown.
During last week, over thousand cases have been reported from parts of Kashmir with half of dozen infected people losing their lives every day. The more medical experts shot warnings of refraining from violating SOPs, the more people indulges into the mess which has led the Valley to an uncertain situation.
According to official data, there was a huge spike in Covid-19 cases in J&K with July 1 (198), July 2 (154), July 3 (170), July 4 (227), July 5 (183), July 6 (246), July 7 (256), July 8 (330), July 9 (240), July 10 (387) were reported while more than 50 patients have been died in several hospitals with having signs of bilateral pneumonia.
Health experts and groups have raised alarm over gross violation of healthcare advisories by general public and have batted for another lockdown till the effect of disease is vanished. Sources disclosed to KNS that some top leading doctors including Covid-19 Nodal Officers have written to the administration for imposition of phased lockdown in the Valley to bring the cases down.
Besides health experts, religious bodies too asked people to strictly adhere upon guidelines meant for keeping the virus away. Mirwaiz led Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) had also urged people to stay indoors and follow SOPs while moving out in case of any exigency.
The MMU, an amalgam of almost dozens of religious and social organizations headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had fervently appealed people to understand the gravity and seriousness of rapid spread of Covid-19 pandemic in Valley.
“Strictly follow medical advice and prevention and precaution protocol issued by health organizations”, MMU urged people.
“The rapid rise in daily cases and deaths is an indication towards herd spread and with the limited health infrastructure available in the valley both in public and private sector this rise can lead to disastrous results if the spread is not checked now”, it said.
Though administration had asked people to follow guidelines in letter and spirit while coming outside in case of exigency after restrictions were lifted on the movement of people, it has been observed that neither social distancing is being maintained nor face masks and other required measures are people equipped with.
An official in the administration on the conditions of anonymity told KNS that the swelling cases of Covid-19 in Valley has worried LG led administration. He said it is being discussed whether anti-Covid-19 lockdown is re-imposed?
He said authorities are in close touch with medical experts and any decision regarding future course of action will be taken with all stakeholders on board.
He added in Jammu region, the intensity of Corona Virus remained low as compare to Valley because of Jammuities took required precautionary measures issued by health experts while in Kashmir SOPs were grossly violated in during public gatherings.
“Be it marriage ceremony or mourning, people failed to strictly adhere upon SOPs. Few wearing masks among the gathering can’t not challenge the virus. Recently in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, the gathering at the residence of a political worker who was killed by militants is enough to shake our minds. Neither social distancing was maintained nor people stayed away from gatherings”, he said.
However sensing the intensity, District administration Kupwara on Saturday announced three-day lockdown in wake of growing number of Covid-19 cases in the district.
An order copy signed by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Anshul Garg reads, “Whereas, the District has seen a sharp rise in the positive cases over the past few days and a few cases have also been reported from the areas outside the containment zones including town areas of Kupwara and Handwara, it is hereby ordered that all shops in the district including town areas of Kupwara, Handwara and Langate shall remain closed for a period of three days w.e.f July 12 to July 14, 2020”.
Order further reads, “There shall be a complete restriction on movement of public transport including Sumo’s and Xylo’s within the district. (KNS) 

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