Srinagar, May 28: Kashmir reported its first cases of the emerging COVID-19 threat with two people, both dentists and returning from outside Jammu and Kashmir, testing positive at GMC Srinagar. According to health officials, both are isolated and do not have any serious symptoms.
The duo, both females and residents of Kerala, are pursuing MDS at Government Dental College, Srinagar. They had returned from their home towns recently and were not feeling well, an official said, adding that they were sent to GMC Srinagar for getting their COVID19 test done. “They tested positive and were isolated as protocol,” he said.
Principal GDC Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kour Bali confirmed that the MDS students from the college tested positive for COVID19. “COVID19 is not the same threat as it was earlier. However, as a matter of precaution, we have isolated the students in the hostel, and also provided them with a separate washroom,” she said. She added that all the staff and students of GDC Srinagar had received both doses of COVID19 vaccine and also its booster dose. “There is nothing to be alarmed about. COVID19 is emerging as a mild infection in many parts of the country and globally too,” she said.
The J&K Health and Medical Education Department has stated that it was prepared to tackle the cases if they rise. “Isolation facilities exist in many hospitals and testing is also being carried out on Acute Respiratory Infection and pneumonia cases,” HoD Chest Medicine, Prof Naveed Nazir Shah told Greater Kashmir.
Earlier, the J&K Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, IDSP said it had alerted its field units to keep a watch on COVID19 suggestive cases in the community and report any clusters with respiratory illnesses to the central control room.
Kerala state has been the worst affected by COVID19 currently, with a reported total of 430 cases. It is followed by Maharashtra with 210 confirmed cases, according to media reports. India had its cases crossing 1000 on Wednesday.
The circulating strain JN.1 is a sub-variant of Omicron. In addition, it is being presumed that NB.1.8.1 , another circulating strain, could spread faster as it has a stronger binding ability to human cells.
