The Government Saturday informed that 13 new positive cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), 01 from Jammu division and 12 from Kashmir division, have been reported today thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 836.According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), out of 836 positive cases, 459 are Active Positive, 368 have recovered and 09 have died.Moreover, 04 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 01 from Jammu division and 03 from Kashmir Division.The Bulletin further said that out of 44753 test results available, 43917 samples have tested as negative till May 09, 2020.Furthermore, till date 90541 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 20092 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 167 in Hospital Quarantine, 459 in hospital isolation and 9244 under home surveillance. Besides, 60570 persons have completed their surveillance period.Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Bandipora has 134 positive cases with 58 Active Positive, 75 recovered, 01 death; Srinagar has 131 (including 02 today) positive cases with 52 Active Positive, 76 recovered, 03 deaths; Anantnag district has 122 positive cases with 120 Active Positive, 01 recovered, 01 death; Baramulla has 106 positive cases with 58 Active Positive, 45 recovered (including 03 reported today), 03 deaths; Shopian has 100 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 53 Active Positive, 47 recovered; Kupwara has 71 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 38 Active Positive, 33 recovered; Budgam has 46 positive cases with 33 Active Positive and 13 recovered cases; Ganderbal has 23 positive cases including 04 cases reported today with 09 Active case and 14 recoveries; Kulgam has 21 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 16 Active Positive and 05 recoveries; Pulwama reported 13 positive cases (including 01 case reported today) with 09 active positive, 04 recovered.Similarly, Jammu has 31 positive cases with 05 active positive cases and 26 recoveries; Udhampur has 22 positive cases with 02 active positive case, 19 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 07 positive cases with 03 Active Positive and 04 recoveries; Rajouri has 04 positive cases, all have recovered including one recovery today; Kathua has 02 positive case (including 01 case reported today) with 01 active positive; 01 recovered; Kishtwar had only 01 positive case who has recovered, Ramban has 01 active positive case while Reasi also has 01 active positive case.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.The Bulletin has urged upon the people to clean hands frequently and thoroughly to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. “Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, make sure you use and store it carefully”, the people are asked further.The bulletin, while elaborating the way of using hand sanitizer and necessity of following certain guidelines, has issued several advisories including ‘Apply a coin-sized amount on your hands. There is no need to use a large amount of the product. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose immediately after using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, as it can cause irritation. Hand sanitizers recommended to protect against COVID-19 are alcohol based and therefore can be flammable. Do not use before handling fire or cooking. Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers out of children’s reach. Teach them how to apply the sanitizer and monitor its use. Under no circumstance, drink or let children swallow an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It can be poisonous. Remember that washing your hands with soap and water is also effective against COVID-19’.As a measure for social distancing in public places & workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.The advisory further explains that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease, let us be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice.Advisory urged people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap and water.”In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24x7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll-free number 102.People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and are urged to rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.