7 quarantine centers in Jammu, 3 in Srinagar for foreign guests

Though the J&K government has swung into action to tackle the highly transmissible new variant of Covid—Omicron, the upsurge in the fresh cases in last couple of months in the Union Territory is indicating the onset of predicted third wave of the deadly Contagion.

The active cases in J&K have reached 1687, which had dipped below 1000 mark at one time. The infection trend has been on the up for the past one month especially from the Kashmir valley, where on an average about 100 fresh cases are being registered on daily basis. Moreover the Covid related fatalities till November 30 were 46- more than four times the number of deaths in October and September when 10 persons had died each month. So far 4477 persons have died on Covid-19 in last one and half years in J&K, including 2185 fatalities from Jammu region and 2292 from the Kashmir valley.

Jammu and Kashmir recorded 234 fresh cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the infection tally to 3,37,086, while one fresh death due to the virus was reported from the Union Territory in the past 24 hours, officials said. Out of the fresh cases, 116 were from the Jammu division and 118 from the Kashmir division, the officials said.

Srinagar district recorded the highest of 63 cases followed by 28 cases in Baramulla district. There are 1,687 active cases in the Union Territory, while the number of recovered patients was 3,30,922, the officials said.
The experts have attributed the surge in cases to laxity being adopted by the people. Experts fear that violation of COVID SoPs may hasten the predicted third wave of virus.

“The region is again witnessing a rise in the number of infections. People are not adhering safety guidelines and have abandoned Covid precautions. Many people don’t wear masks and don’t care about physical distancing. People are seen without masks in marriage functions, religious places and other public places. Violation of COVID19 safety guidelines would be an “invitation to third wave of virus”. I want to reiterate that Delta Variant of –Covid is still here and due to laxity be people it has again started transmitting and greater pace”, said chief medical officer, Jammu, Dr. JP Singh.

Today out of 116 cases from Jammu, 87 alone were reported from the Reasi district.

“All the 87 cases were pilgrims of Mata Vaishno Devi, who tested positive after tests at Katra Railway station. While 69 cases are from Tuesday and 20 were from today. As per protocol all the passengers returned back to their native places in the vehicles, provided by the district administration”, shared Block Medical Officer, Katra, Dr. Gopal Dutt.

In the wake of rising cases, we will be strictly implementing the SOPs in coming days”, he added.
Meanwhile, the officials said there were 49 confirmed cases of mucormycosis (black fungus) in the Union Territory as no fresh case was reported since Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the outbreak of new virus variant—Omicron, special quarantine centers for international guests have been established in both Jammu and Srinagar cities. Jammu administration has set up seven special quarantine centers for international guests.

Dr. JP Singh said, “The district administration has notified six paid and one government quarantine centre for the foreign travelers. Soon after the incoming foreign travellers would be tested by RTPCR tests and would be sent to these quarantine centres. After test results, the negative travellers will be sent for home quarantine of 7 days and re-tested on the 8th day and we will paste stickers of ‘home quarantine’ on the gate of foreign travellers during the observation period of 8 days. While the COVID positive patients will be sent to DRDO Hospital Jammu for 15 days and their samples will also be sent for genome sequencing at ICMR designated testing laboratories.
Meanwhile, Srinagar administration has set up three special quarantine centers.

“Marriage hall at Sanantnagar area of city and two hotels with all facilities have been converted into quarantine centers. After undergoing Covid tests at the Srinagar international airport, international travelers will have to stay for eight-hours mandatory quarantine at these centers,” the official said.

He said in case any traveller tests positive for the Covid-19 or the new virus mutant, he/she will be shifted to DRDO Covid hospital for special treatment. Kashmir is all set to witness international tourist arrival in the wake of onset of winter and the activities to be conducted by the tourism department including adventure tourism etc.