J&K sees upsurge in cases, mask mandates return in more districts
The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has reinstated the face mask mandate in more districts and stepped-up testing, amid concerns about rising daily COVID infection in the Union Territory.
“The Jammu and Kashmir has continued to see substantial rise in new Covid cases as 434 fresh infections were reported on Wednesday, while one more person died due to the viral disease,” officials said.
The infection tally in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 4,57,951 while the death toll stands at 4,761, they said.
Of the new cases, 248 were reported from Jammu and 186 from Kashmir, officials said.
There are 1,724 active cases of the disease in the Union Territory, while the number of recoveries has reached 4,51,466, officials said. There are 51 confirmed cases of mucormycosis (black fungus).
Amid the spike in new cases, the Union Territory administration has made wearing of face mask mandatory in several districts. “Today mask mandates were re-imposed in districts Jammu, Kathua, Baramulla while earlier the administration has imposed same order in five districts,” an official said.
In an order issued here by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Avny Lavasa in the capacity of Chairperson District Disaster Management Authority ordered that use of face masks shall be compulsory at all public places in Jammu district with immediate effect till further orders.
“All district, sectoral officers will ensure usage of face masks by all officers in the office,” read an order further directing school managements, shopping malls, cinema theatres and other complexes to adhere to the directives.
Moreover, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has decided to make wearing of face masks compulsory on campus.
In a statement, Director NIT, Prof. (Dr.), Rakesh Sehgal said in view of re-surge in Covid19 cases in Valley, they have taken some precautionary measures for students, employees, faculty, and visitors to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Prof. Sehgal said wearing 3-ply reusable or disposable masks is mandatory for all persons entering the NIT campus.
“We ensure that all COVID19 precautionary measures should be adhered to, so that there will be no risk of spreading infection on the campus,” he said.
As per officials following the rennet directives, several schools in Jammu and Kashmir sent messages to parents to adhere to the government directions from tomorrow and sent their wards with face masks. Earlier, district administration, Srinagar and Ramban ordered compulsory use of face-masks.
Health experts said that infection seems to be increasing and cases must be even higher than being reported as people with mild symptoms are not even getting tested.
He said besides getting their due dose, people should adopt COVID-appropriate behaviour, including wearing of masks, to check the spread of disease.
