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Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases in J&K, the positivity rate is high, however, the hospitality rate is less, officials said on Tuesday.

Top health officials while talking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that at present the positivity rate is very high and every third person in J&K is found to be positive for Covid-19.

Principal GMC Jammu Dr Shashi Sudan while talking with KNO said that the current positivity rate is very high and every third person in J&K is found positive for Covid-19.

She said that so far no death has been reported only because of the omicron variant and whosoever dies has underlying problems.

“The positivity rate is very high and it has taken a toll on health care workers. So far around 500 doctors and paramedics have been tested positive for Covid-19 in GMC Jammu and its associated hospitals,” Sudan said.

She said that though hospitalization rates haven’t increased so much, we shouldn’t lower the guard and should continue to follow CAB in letter and spirit.

Top officials from Kashmir division also said that the positivity rate is quite higher than what they are witnessing on official data as there are hundreds of people who are testing themselves at home or at private laboratories, besides most people who have symptoms just isolate themselves at home without getting tested.

“Death which are currently witnessed are of those who are having underlying problems and most of them are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated,” they said—(KNO)

Amid spike in Covid cases, the doctors, paramedics and teachers are striving hard to ensure that everyone is tested prior to entering into the gardens here in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Sampling Incharge of gardens, Dr Afshan Rehmat said “Our teams of doctors, paramedics and teachers have been conducting tests at the gardens since July 3rd, 2021.”

“Even in bad weather, there is no heating arrangement and without holidays, we are making sure that all those who enter into the gardens are tested properly,” she said.

“We appeal people to help us in fighting this pandemic by following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and take proper precautions to prevent the virus from spreading,” she added—(KNO)

*COVID-19: Omicron replacing Delta indicates end of pandemic, say experts*

*‘Persons getting infected with Omicron are recovering faster than Delta’*

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Jan 18 (KNO): Omicron variant known as the most infectious variant of Covid-19 triggering the third wave in J&K is said to have infected large scale of people while experts believe that with Omicron replacing Delta, Covid-19 will not remain a pandemic but an endemic illness.

A Kashmiri doctor Dr Shakeel Ahmad Sofi who is working in Apollo hospital in Kolkata while talking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that though Omicron is spreading at a very fast speed but it isn’t causing so much severity as it is not involving lungs but only upper respiratory tract.

He said that as it is spreading fast but within 4-6 days people come negative as well and 95 to 99 percent of positive patients don’t even need hospitalization as it is behaving like a common flu.

He said that whether a person will be vaccinated or unvaccinated, it is not going to spare anybody but most people won’t even know when they got infected and when they recovered.

“Omicron is so infectious that if a person comes in contact with a positive patient for just 10 to 20 minutes, he will get infected,” he said, adding that fancy masks are of no use and people must use N 95 and surgical masks.

Sofi added that there is no need to isolate for more than three to four days if there are no symptoms and there is no need to go for repeated tests.

He said that with Omicron replacing Delta, it is the beginning and end of pandemic and Covid will become a seasonal flu.

“People should leave fear of Omicron as today or tomorrow you will get infected but it won’t cause any damage,” Sofi said.

Dr Nisar Ul Hasan Flu expert and president of Doctors association Kashmir while talking with KNO said that the replacing of Delta by Omicron has happened to the good of population and it is mild flu and will help everybody to get immunity due to which we may see an end to this pandemic.

“It won’t help in full elimination of the virus but it will end from pandemic stage to endemic and become 5th respiratory virus of the world,” he said.

He said that the third wave is likely to witness a peak next week and by the end of February the wave will be over—(KNO)

A family from Shelipora Achabal in Anantnag along with their relatives on Tuesday staged protest and alleged that their daughter was murdered by her in-laws.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the family accompanied by locals and relatives raised slogans in favour of justice and demanded that the matter must be investigated and strict action must be taken against her in-laws.

Her family members including her father and brother alleged that she was killed by her in-laws over dowry and if her daughter was so ill, they should have informed them.

“We talked with our daughter on Monday evening and she was fine. However, when we later called her, her phone was off,” they said, adding that if her condition would have deteriorated by any means, her in-laws should have informed us.

“Time and again, her in-laws were demanding dowry which we fulfilled, however, they continued to demand more. She has been killed by poison or something else,” the family members allege.

They alleged that even when they reached the hospital, instead of taking her body to their (in-laws) house, they left the hospital and we took the body home.

They along with protestors demanded time bound investigation into the matter and action against the in-laws.

An official said that a 30-year-old lady from Shelipora Achabal who was married at Harnag area of Anantnag was brought dead to hospital.

He said that as per preliminary medical reports, the lady died due to cardiac arrest, however, further investigation is going on and if anyone will be found involved in any way, he will be taken to task as per law—(KNO)

A day after registering a dip in fresh Covid-19 infections, Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday saw significant rise in new cases with 4651 confirmed in last 24 hours while three persons succumbed to the virus during the time, officials said.

They said 1546 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 3105 from Kashmir valley, taking the overall tally to 366851.

After ten days of continuous daily rise, J&K had seen a dip in daily cases on Monday with 2827 while 3499 infections were reported on Sunday.

Giving district wise details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 957 cases, Baramulla 633, Budgam 411, Pulwama 96, Kupwara 209, Anantnag 253, Bandipora 139, Ganderbal 171, Kulgam 215, Shopian 21, Jammu 919, Udhampur 184, Rajouri 74, Doda 49, Kathua 94, Samba 109, Kishtwar 6, Poonch 18, Ramban 15 and Reasi 78.

Three persons also died during the time—two from Jammu division and one from Kashmir Valley. So far 4575 people have died due to the virus—2228 in Jammu division and 2347 in Kashmir Valley.

A number of these cases were confirmed at GMCs of Srinagar and Anantnag besides district Hospital Pulwama.

The cases confirmed at diagnostic laboratories under GMC Srinagar include Female (25) (NA) from SMHS Sgr, female (12) (NA) from Sgr, female (08) (NA) from Sgr, female (22) (NA) from Sgr, male (32) (NA) from Sgr, female (28) (NA) from Sgr, female (52) (NA) from Shivpora Sgr, male (34) (NA) from Hyderpora, male (30) (NA) from Bemina, male (35) (NA) from Sumbal, female (25) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (26) (NA) from Padshahi bagh, female (25) (NA) from Sgr, male (40) (NA) from Sgr, male (60) (NA) from Batpora Sgr, male (33) (NA) from Habbakadal, female (27) (NA) from Sgr, male (24) (NA) from Tral, female (67) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (35) (NA) from Khaniyar, male (43) (NA) from Lalbazar, male (23) (NA) from Tral, male (27) (NA) from J&K, male (27) (NA) from Sgr, female (10) (NA) from Sgr, female (40) (NA) from Pulwama, male (27) (NA) from Sgr, male (36) (NA) from GMC Sgr, male (48) (NA) from Barzulla, male (34) (NA) from Sgr, male (27) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (60) (NA) from Habbakadal, female (17) (NA) from Hawal, female (38) (NA) from Hawal, male (62) (NA) from Anantnag, female (57) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (60) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (30) (NA) from Chanpora, male (22) (NA) from Baramulla, male (55) (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (25) (NA) from Sonwar, male (06 Months) (NA) from Beerwah, female (19) (NA) from Lasjan, male (43) (NA) from Shivpora, female (45) (NA) from Draigam, male (35) (NA) from Bandipora, male (60) (NA) from Barzulla, male (27) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (40) (NA) from Rajpora, female (46) (NA) from CD Hospital, male (50) (NA) from Alochibagh, male (23) (NA) from Alochibagh, male (58) (NA) from Baghat barzulla, female (22) (NA) from Chattabal, male (80) (NA) from Awatipora, female (28) (NA) from Pampore, male (51) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (37) (NA) from Natipora, female (35) (NA) from Tral, female (28) (NA) from Wagar budgam, male (30) (NA) from Dalgate, male (45) (NA) from HMT, male (25) (NA) from Bemina, male (28) (NA) from Budgam, male (40) (NA) from Lalbazar and male (38) (NA) from Bungam Khonmoh.

The cases confirmed at GMC Anantnag include female (30) from Budgam, male (22) from GMC Ang, male (29) from Kulgam, two males (40, 22) from GMCA, male (26) from Sadoora, male (26) from Doonipawa, two males (47, 78) from Nowgam, male (33) from Muslimabad, female (56) from Kishtwar, male (20) from Udhampur, male (20) from Rajouri, three females (NA, NA, NA) and two males (NA, NA) from Mattan, female (40) from Gundipora, female (24) and male (30) from Devsar, fifteen males (35, 38, 40, 43, 43, 30, 35, 52, 52, 30, 32, 34, 31, 40, 56) from 156/ D PS Devsar, male (22) from Allahabad India, male (47) from Kerala, female (29) from Faridabad, two males (34, 68) from Tamil Nadu, male (30) from UP, three males (44, 46, 35) and three females (35, 42, 34) from Chennai India, four females (70, 42, 62, 62) from Mumbai, female (26) from UP, two males (36, 18) and two females (36, 29) from Jharkhand, three males (22, 19, 22) from Sudan India, male (31) from Hyderabad, male (29) from Bangalore, male (31) from Bombay, male (6) and female (50) from Sangran, male (56) from Drien, female (22) from Khudwani, male (52) from Wanigund, female (5) from Seer Hamdhan, female (48) and male (23) from Gujrat, female (55) and male (58) from Mumbai, female (22) from West Bengal, male (32) and female (30) from Qaimoh, male (36) from Chadder, male (40) from Nowgam Shangus , male (35) and female (48) from Shangus, female (21) from Sopat, female (32) from Hajan, two females (25, 28) from Y K Pora, male (27) from Qazigund, four males (22, 30, 49, 25) from Sadiwara, male (66) from Damjan.

The cases confirmed at DH Pulwama include female (28) from Narwa pulwama, female (27) from Marhang shopian, female (30) from Pulwama, male (62) from Parigam pulwama, male (27) from Ratnipora pulwama, female (07) from Karimabad, female (31) from Pirpoora shopian, male (14) from Sanzwathri pulwama, female (23) from Gongoo pulwama, male (35) from Gongoo, male (46) from Kangan pulwama, female (32) from Prichoo, female (18) from Ratnipora, female (25) from Ratnipora, male (30) from Ratnipora, female (30) from Malangpora, female (32) from Achgoza, male (40) from Mitrigam, female (31) from Drusoo, female (31) from Trichal, female (60) from Lassipora, male (45) from Murran, female (20) from Nikloora, male (32) from Koil, male (50) from Ayengund, female (35) from Kakapora, female (60) from Chandpora, female (70) from Kangan, female (39) from Narbal Sgr, female (38) from Qamarwari Sgr, male (60) from Karimabad, female (50) from Rajpora, female (70) from Imamsahib shopian, female (55) from Shopian, female (25) from Wahibugh pulwama, female (25) from Karimabad, female (45) from Wahibugh, male (32) from Nanibugh kulgam, female (30) from Barsoo pulwama, female (29) from Bellow, female (30) from Kakapora, female (45) from Badibagh Pulwama and female (29) from Kachupora Pulwama.

Besides, they said, 899 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—549 from Jammu Division and 350 from Kashmir. So far 340599 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 21677 —8180 in Jammu and 13497 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said.

They also informed that 51060 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

In view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bandipora Mohammad Zahid Monday chaired a joint security review meeting at DPL Bandipora.

A police spokesman said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the meeting was attended by COs of Army, CAPF, ASP Bandipora SDPOs, SHOs and other senior officers of police and intelligence units.

On the occasion, SSP Bandipora was briefed by the participating officers about the overall security scenarios and measures being adopted to counter the challenges in their respective areas.

SSP Bandipora directed all the jurisdictional officers to remain extra-vigilant, strengthen nakas/checkpoints and generate actionable intelligence so that the nefarious designs of anti-national elements will be thwarted. The meeting was also addressed by senior officers of Army and CAPF.

SSP Bandipora also urged upon the officers to intensify patrolling and surveillance/domination of their respective areas to avert any untoward incident.

He also appreciated the efforts of Police and other security agencies for maintaining stability in the district and emphasised upon them to maintain synergy and better coordination with one another at ground level to maintain the peaceful environment and security in the district—(KNO)

A meteorological department official told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of 1.0°C against last night’s minus 1.2°C in the summer capital of the J&K.

Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.6°C against minus 7.0°C on previous night, he said. The temperature was 3.1°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.6°C against minus 5.4°C last night, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.0°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.0°C against minus 4.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of 0.5°C against minus 2.1°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu recorded a low of 9.0°C against previous night’s 8.4°C which is 1.9°C above normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of 3.4°C, Katra 7.2°C and Bhaderwah saw a minimum of 1.5°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 13.1°C against last night’s minus 15.2°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 16.0°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 16.2°C against last night’s minus 17.4°C, official said.

Weatherman has said that there was no forecast of any major rain or snow till the end of January in J&K.

“Under the influence of feeble Western Disturbance, weather most likely to remain generally cloudy with possibility of very light to light rain/snow in plains of J&K during 16-19th and light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches,” the MeT official said . “As of today, there’s no forecast of any major rain/snow till ending January (accuracy 60-70%)

Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB), Khalid Jahangir on Monday said that the examinations scheduled to be held till January 22, will be conducted, as per the schedule and that almost 12,000 posts will be advertised soon.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the SSB chairman said that there has been no decision regarding the postponement of the examinations at present.

“We have conducted the exams on time and the next tests will be held as per the routine during which the Covid protocols will be followed strictly,” he said.

Nonetheless, he added that a decision with regard to the postponement of the examinations can be reviewed if there are fresh directions from the administration as well as the Disaster Management.

Pertinently, the Universities and other institutions have postponed the examinations in wake of the surge in the Covid cases following which KNO received many calls from the aspirants, seeking clarification regarding the conduct of exams for the different posts.

Meanwhile, asked about the new posts, Chairman JKSSB informed KNO that the departments have been recently directed to refer the posts to the SSB in the month of January and it is expected that more 10-12000 fresh posts will be advertised soon—(KNO)

The government on Monday issued statement on Kashmir Press Club and said that it was concerned over the emergent situation which has arisen due to the “unpleasant” turn of events involving two rival warring groups using the banner of the KPC.The statement reads.

The factual position is that KPC as a registered body has ceased to exist and its managing body too has come to a legal closure on 14 July 2021, the date on which its tenure came to an end. In its failure to register itself under the central Societies of Registration Act, further compounded by its failure to hold elections to constitute a new managing body, some  individuals of the erstwhile club have been committing illegalities on several counts, least of which are false portrayal of being owner-managers of an entity which is no longer in legal vogue.

Meanwhile some other members have created an interim body using the same banner suggesting a ‘takeover’. However, since the original KPC itself has ceased to exist as registered body, the question of any interim body is rendered infructuous. In these circumstances, issuing of notices and communication by any group using the rubric of erstwhile Kashmir Press Club is illegal.

Meanwhile, the rival groups have been leveling various allegations against each other also with regard to the use of the premises belonging to the estates department that was being used for the legitimate use of the members of the journalistic fraternity. In view of this aspect of the dispute and in view of the reports in social media and other sources indicating a potential law and order situation including a threat of breach of peace and the satefy of bonafide journalists, an intervention has become necessary.

In view of the unpleasant developments and dissensions between various groups of journalists, it has been decided that the allotment of the premises at Polo View in view of the now deregistered Kashmir Press Club be cancelled and control of land and buildings situated at Polo View Srinagar which belongs to the Estates Department be reverted back to the said Department.

The government is committed to a free and fair press and believes that journalists are entitled to all facilities, including a place for professional, educational, social, cultural, recreational and welfare activities. It also hopes that a duly registered bona fide society of all journalists shall be constituted as soon as possible and the same shall be able to approach the government for reallocation of the premises. (GNS)

Jammu and Kashmir reported 2827 new covid-19 cases while five persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

They said that 1093 of the cases were reported from Jammu Division and 1734 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 362200.

There were also five deaths in the last 24 hours, all from Jammu division. So far 4572 people have succumbed to the virus and include 2226 in Jammu and 2346 in Kashmir.

Giving the district wise details of the fresh cases confirmed in J&K, the officials said that Srinagar reported 618, Baramulla 315, Budgam 295, Pulwama 56, Kupwara 168, Anantnag 168, Bandipora 52, Ganderbal 22, Kulgam 57, Shopian 12, Jammu 711, Udhampur 122, Rajouri 42, Doda 30, Kathua 30, Samba 52, Kishtwar 7, Poonch 32, Ramban 42 and Reasi 35.

Besides, they said, 777 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—492 from Jammu Division and 285 from Kashmir. So far 339700 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 17928 —7185 in Jammu and 10743 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said.

They also informed that 55629 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)