Highest 588 cases reported in Jammu Distt; 12 more areas declared micro containment zones; elective surgeries suspended in GMC
STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir on Friday recorded highest single-day jump in the third wave of novel Corona virus by recording 2,456 new cases, officials said, adding that due to surge in cases, 12 more areas of the Jammu city have been declared as micro-containment zones while entry in the Government Medical College Hospital here has been restricted.
According to officials, 934 cases were reported from Jammu division and 1522 from the Kashmir division, even as five Covid related deaths were also recorded, three in the Jammu Province and two in the Valley. Highest number of 588 cases have been recorded in the Jammu District followed by 464 in the Srinagar District.
Amid upsurge in Covid-19 cases across Jammu, the authorities have put elective/routine surgeries on hold till further orders in Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu and its Associated Hospitals.
“In view of the existing COVID-19 situation, all elective/routine Surgeries in the GMC Jammu and its Associated Hospitals shall remain suspended with effect from January 17, 2022 till further orders,” the order issued by Principal and Dean GMC Jammu, Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma reads.
“Only Emergency and Cancer Surgeries shall continue as per routine,” the order further stated.
District Magistrate, Jammu, Anshul Garg has declared 12 more areas of the Jammu City as micro-containment zones which include Lane near H No 134, Kailash Nagar, Talab Tillo; Lane near 47, Shopping Centre, Bakshi Nagar; Lane near H. No 116, Sector 04, Trikuta Nagar; Lane near H. No 73, Ward No. 03, Bishnah; Lane near H. No 80-B, Sainik Colony; Lane near H. No 118, Sector 08, Roop Nagar; Lane near H. No 53, Sector 02, Pamposh Colony, Janipur; Lane near 821-Sweet Home Apartments near New Birla Open Mind School, Channi Rama; Lane near H.No 419, Sector 05 near CD Gupta House, Channi Himmat; Lane near SBI Quarters, BSNL Exchange, Bantalab; Lane near H. No 343/B, Sector 01, South Ext. Trikuta Nagar; and Lane near H. No 568 A, Gandhi Nagar .
“The aforesaid areas shall be under strict lock down and tight perimeter control, except for essential needs. There shall be no movement, whatsoever, in and out of the Micro Containment zones,” the order stated and added, “For any medical emergency, individuals can contact the 24X7 control room at 0191-2571616, 0191-2571912 and necessary facilitation shall be done.”
It shall be mandatory for the persons residing in designated Containment Zones to get themselves tested and any refusal in this regard shall invite action including filing of FIR under relevant provisions of Disaster Management Act.
Any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta took stock of the the rising COVID cases across the Union Territory and directed observance of strict containment protocols to effectively reduce the rate of transmission.
Administrative Secretaries of the departments of Finance, Health & Medical Education, Home, MD, National Health Mission, Director General, Family Health, Divisional Commissioners Kashmir/ Jammu, Inspectors General of Police Kashmir/Jammu, and Deputy Commissioners and District SPs were present in the meeting.
It was informed that the COVID cases in Jammu and Kashmir have risen by 10 times over the past 10 days, which has necessitated strict observance of CAB, COVID SOPs and protocols and curtailment of unnecessary movement by the general public.
The Chief Secretary appealed to the general public to act responsibly during the third wave of the pandemic and avoid unnecessary and non-essential movement, especially during the weekend, and prevent further surge in cases.
Emphasising that Omicron has a growth advantage over the delta variant, Dr. Mehta impressed upon the divisional and district administrations to ensure fool-proof enforcement of all COVID protocols and SOPs.
He directed mass scale awareness campaign for promoting the district COVID helpline numbers for seeking medical assistance through tele-consultations and re-activation of block-level COVID medical grid to provide isolation facilities at Panchayat level, primary medical assistance at primary health care centres, and referral to district ad tertiary healthcare facilities in cases of emergencies.
The district administrations were directed to enhance their testing figures including RtPCR testing and expedite identification, isolation and micro- containment of the infection, besides speeding up vaccination drive in the 15-17 age category which is currently at 40%. They were asked to complete the vaccination in this age category within one week by raising the number of vaccination sites and decentralising the process.
The Chief Secretary asked the Health & Medical Education Department to prioritize administering booster doses in vulnerable populations through the continuing ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign.
Moreover, the Revenue, Police and Health Departments were directed to vaccinate the frontline workers, healthcare workers and volunteers with the third precautionary dose.
The Chief Secretary directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Director SKIMS, Director General, Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, and Principal GMC Srinagar to regularly give media briefings on the mitigation measures, current trajectory of the disease and suitably address the public concerns on the matter.