COVID: 1966 test positive in J&K; five deaths reported
Rapid antigen COVID-19 tests mandatory for entering Kashmir hospitals
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir today reported 1966 new positive cases, 1077 from Kashmir and 889 from Jammu division. The UT also reported five fresh deaths, three from Kashmir and two from Jammu division, officials said.
With these fresh cases, the total number of positive cases in the UT has gone upto350167.
In view of the surge in fresh cases, the authorities in Kashmir on Thursday directed the hospital administrations in the valley not to allow patients and attendants enter the medical facilities without taking a rapid antigen test for COVID-19.
The officials said that out of 350167 positive cases, 7931are Active Positive (4082in Jammu and 3850 in Kashmir division), 337683 have recovered and 4552 have died; 2213 in Jammu and 2339in Kashmir division.
Jammu district once again reported the maximum number of positive cases (435) followed by Srinagar district (416). Baramulla district figures at number three with 311 cases followed by Budgam (159), Udhampur (136) and Reasi (107).
Officials said that Pulwama reported 12 cases, Kupwara 26, Anantnag 39, Bandipora 53, Ganderbal 07 Kulgam 52 cases while as Shopian reported 02 fresh cases today.
They said that Rajouri reported 55cases, Doda 21, Kathua 49, Samba 36, Poonch 26, Kishtwar 19 cases while as Ramban reported 06 fresh cases.
The officials further said that 61,967doses of COVID vaccine have been administered in the last 24 hours bringing the cumulative number of doses administered across J&K to1,96,55,682.
Meanwhile, authorities in Kashmir on Thursday directed the hospital administrations in the valley not to allow patients and attendants enter the medical facilities without taking a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 in view of the surge in the number of cases.
In a circular, Director Health Services Kashmir, M A Rather, asked all chief medical officers, medical superintendents, block medical officers in the valley to get COVID-19 SOPs/guidelines properly implemented in all healthcare institutions falling under their administrative control.
“Besides, they will ensure that no patient/attendant is allowed to enter the hospital premises unless & until rapid antigen test (RAT) is undertaken and masks are put on the face by them properly,” the circular said.
However, in case of dire emergencies, the need-based protocols should be followed, the Director Health Services Kashmir said.
The move comes in view of the recent surge in COVID-19 infections in and the detection of cases of the new Omicron variant in Jammu and Kashmir.
