JAMMU, MARCH 15: The Government Sunday informed that 2157 no. of travellers and persons in contact with the suspected Coronavirus cases have been put under surveillance in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 1829 persons are under home quarantine and 29 persons are in hospital quarantine while 131 persons are under home surveillance.
Further, the Bulletin said that 101 samples have been sent for testing, of which 87 tested as negative and only two cases have tested positive, so far while as reports of 12 cases are awaited till March 15, 2020. Meanwhile, 168 persons have completed their 28 days surveillance period.
According to the Bulletin, home quarantined persons and their family members are requested to cooperate with the local surveillance teams / health authorities and strictly follow the guidelines for home quarantine issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI.
Public in general has been requested to strengthen surveillance mechanism by making self-declaration about their foreign travel history to local health authorities. “Moreover all social, religious and political organizations are urged to avoid large gatherings,” reads the advisory.
Medical masks, according to the advisory should not be used by healthy persons who are not having any symptoms because it creates false sense of security that can lead to neglecting other essential measures such as washing of hands. “In fact erroneous use of masks or continuous use of a disposable mask for longer than 6 hours or repeated use of same mask may actually increase risk of getting infection.”
Stressing on the social distancing, the advisory urged people not to panic and avoid un-necessary travel, use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings. “People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes. If anyone has fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical care at the earliest.”
To avoid any misinformation, people are urged to rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.
MS suspended for disclosing identity of suspected coronavirus patient
Jammu: A medical superintendent of a hospital was placed under suspension for disclosing the identity of a suspected coronavirus patient in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.
District Development Commissioner (DDC), Rajouri, Mohammad Nazir Sheikh ordered the suspension of Medical Superintendent of the Associated Hospital, Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri, Raghuvir Singh on Saturday, the officials said.
The action against the doctor followed violation of guidelines by revealing the identity of a suspected case.
One person with travel history to Saudi Arabia and suffering from fever and cold and being symptomatic was brought to Associated Hospital, Rajouri on Saturday and doctors decided to keep him in isolation ward, as a suspect case of novel coronavirus, the officials said .
“Due to the disclosure of privacy of the suspect case, panic spread among his relatives, who met him after his arrival, residing in the area where the suspect belongs to,” the officials said quoting the order of the DDC, Rajouri.
Pending enquiry, the officials said the medical superintendent was placed under suspension for sharing details of the patient and not maintaining privacy, which is sheer violation of charter of patients rights, issued by the Union ministry of health and family welfare and professional conduct rules of Medical Council of India and dereliction of duties.
“He shall remain attached with the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Rajouri, during the period of suspension and principal GMC Rajouri shall make alternate arrangement, so that work may not suffer at the Associated hospital, GMC Rajouri,” Sheikh said in his order.
