Amid restrictions, sampling of coronavirus suspects increased in Kashmir
This is how Lal Chowk looks during lockdown. Photo-Javed Khan /Kashmir Images
Srinagar: Healthcare professionals have increased scientific sampling and testing of coronavirus suspects across Kashmir region which has seen a surge in cases of the virus.
Three new cases of COVID-19 positive were detected in Kashmir on Monday, raising the total number of positive cases in the union territory to 109.
While two patients have died, four have recovered while another seven have tested negative after undergoing treatment. These patients will undergo another test before they will be discharged from the hospital.
Health authorities here said the Jammu and Kashmir Government has established COVID-19 hospitals which are working round-the-clock and performing sample testing swiftly.
Director, Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Mattoo said the Government established eight hospitals in Kashmir and three in Jammu — exclusively for COVID-19 cases.
“All our eight COVID-19 hospitals are performing well and we have been able to reach out to the people with some sort of relief amid this healthcare crisis,” Dr Mattoo said, adding “we have also directed our staff to remain on 24X7 shifts for any exigency”.
He said the Government has taken a slew of measures in terms of screening of people particularly inbound travellers, surveillance and quarantine, isolation of suspects and is continuously monitoring the situation on a minute-to-minute basis.
He said the healthcare professionals have been able to increase the scientific sampling and testing of suspects across Kashmir region.
“Earlier, we were able to collect 70 samples, now we go for up to 150 a day. We are also waiting for some equipment and important reagents from ICMR. We have so far got seven sophisticated machines for testing and we will be again procuring few more,” he said.
Meanwhile, strict restrictions on the movement of people in Kashmir to contain the spread of coronavirus remained in force on Monday.
