Srinagar, Mar 23: Test reports of eight persons including a couple with travel history to Bangkok tested negative for coronavirus here even as eight more people have been admitted to hospitals, two of them in separate isolation on Monday.
Professor Farooq Ahmad Jan, the medical superintendent of SKIMS, told news agency GNS that a husband-wife duo was admitted on Sunday night and their samples sent to check possibility of coronavirus.
“The test reports were received on Monday and they came out to be negative,” he said.
No more person with symptoms akin to coronavirus were admitted to SKIMS even as doctors examined a number of people who approached the tertiary care hospital for a checkup for having cough, fever or other indications, Professor Jan said. “They did fit in the criteria to be admitted,” he added.
Meanwhile eight persons were admitted to Chest Disease (CD) hospital, three of them late last night, while samples of six persons came out to be negative, concerned officials and sources said.
“We took samples of five persons who were admitted today and their reports along with three others, admitted late last night, are awaited,” they said.
They said two among those admitted on Monday have travel history to Saudi Arabia while another one “seems to be hiding details as he maintains to have arrived from New Delhi.”
“These two persons seem highly likely to be infected and as such they have been moved to separate isolation,” they said, adding, “The tests will rule out or confirm the disease and are expected on Tuesday.”
When contacted Dr Naveed Nazir, HOD CD hospital, confirmed to GNS that eight new persons have been admitted and said that six test reports were received which came out to be negative. Asked the possibility of the two persons, who have been kept in separate isolation facility, he said, “we have taken their samples and reports are awaited.”
Meanwhile, the Government informed that 4329 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19) 2916 persons have been kept under home quarantine while as 50 are in hospital quarantine.
Persons who are under home surveillance stand at 878 while as 485 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period.
The Bulletin further said that 256 samples have been sent for testing of which 231 tested as negative and only four cases have tested positive so far, while as 21 reports are awaited till March 23, 2020.
The advisory urged public to stay at home to slow the spread of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) and advised not to venture out unless it is absolutely essential.
Since large number of students and travellers, according to the advisory, have returned to the UT in view of increased incidence of Novel Coronavirus cases across the world and other parts of the country. “However, some of the travellers / students have not provided correct travel history in self-declaration formats that were provided to them at designated Help Desk Counters at port of entry in the UT,” reads the advisory.
Such travellers must therefore report their travel history to local health authorities / Covid-19 helpline Numbers and undergo self-imposed home quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival. “This is in the interest of their health, their family members, neighbours and public in general.”
Furthermore, advisory appealed family members, neighbours and people to bring such cases in notice of the authorities, so that necessary measures in the interest of public health can be taken by the Government.
In this regard, toll free national helpline number 1075 for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) has been established. Similarly, Jammu & Kashmir Covid-19 Helpline No.s 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581(For Kashmir Division) have also been established.
On the implementation of Social Distancing measures, the advisory said that it is key to stop and prevent the spread of Covid-19 from those who are infected to those who are not infected. The intervention includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
“Public in general is therefore advised to avoid un-necessary travel & use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings, do not spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes,” reads the advisory.
Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Government from time to time. People are also urged to rely only on the information released by the government in this regard through the daily media bulletin to print & electronic media. People are advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time. (With inputs from GNS)
