The world is facing a severe and acute health emergency due to ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and rigorous measures are being taken to mitigate and contain the transmission of this infection and the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Srinagar, is trying hard to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increase in rate of transmission, the medical advice points toward the curtailment of social contact, which is key to reduce the spread of this deadly infection, Director SKIMS said in a statement, here the other day.Urging people to adhere to the health advisories and maintain social distancing protocol in all aspects of life- social and religious, Dr. Ahanger said that saving humans from harm is the essence of every religion and in current situation it can be assured by staying home and maintaining WHO protocol.The statement reads that the SKIMS witnessed a very good and positive development in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. The first positive case, an elderly lady with a history of foreign travel and symptomatic was admitted for management of COVID-19 infection, has responded very well to the treatment, and has, in fact, recovered with repeated tests as negative in 24 hours on the 14th day. The patient has progressive recovery and is being shifted to Level-II for further quarantine purpose.Dr. Ahangar further said that SKIMS continues to bear the brunt of COVID-19 patients both symptomatic and falling in line in the suspected cases under various protocols and till date, the Institute has admitted 133 cases of which 21 have been discharged while 6 positive cases are under treatment. Besides, the UT’s Viral Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (VDRL) has tested 219 samples so far, out of which 8 have been tested positive, while the others are negative. However most of these patients admitted for observation continue to be under surveillance in coordination with the Directorate of Health Services and other Nodal Agencies of Jammu & Kashmir.
In the fight against the Covid-19, the statement said the SKIMS shares the resolve of JK UT’s administration including that of Lt Governor GC Murmu, Advisor, Basser Ahmed Khan, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam, Financial Commissioner Health & Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Principals of SKIMS MC and GMC Srinagar and Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Matoo and his team members, to save the lives of our people.The statement reads that due to influx of patients, people is again requested to observe and follow all Government Advisories as well as the instructions from various Health Institutions/ and Agencies with regard to prevention and control of this infection as slow down in infection rate decreases the pressure on health institutions and can go a long way in better management of COVID-19 positive cases.Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include staying home, avoiding crowded places, washing hands with soap and warm water, practicing good respiratory hygiene, avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, strictly following official lockdown, avoiding social or religious gatherings, maintaining personal, following cough and sneezing etiquettes, not sharing items of daily items and above all reporting to healthcare agencies in the event of developing symptoms related to COVID-19, especially when there is history of others being in contact of a proven cases of COVID-19 infection or with a travel history to or from an infected area or having been a healthcare worker treating such patients. I would again urge my fellow citizens to be more concerned, careful, staying indoors, stay safe, help others to live without any scare or panic.
The updated data about Corona Virus epidemic at SKIMS is reproduced as under:-
Sharing details Dr. Ahanger said that so far 152 Corona virus cases have been treated at the Institute while 9 patients found positive are presently under treatment in Isolation ward and 91 suspected patients are at quarantine ward( whose test report is presently negative).Besides, 33 patients have been discharged till date, 3 patients who were admitted yester have been detected positive and 19 suspected patients who were admitted today for investigation and management are awaiting tests.He further revealed that till date Microbiology Lab of the Institute has conducted 219 tests, out of which 11 have been reported positive.