The world is facing a severe and acute public health emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 global Pandemic and rigorous measures are taken to mitigate and surpass the transmission of this infection.
Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Srinagar is trying hard to minimize the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic. With the increasing rate of transmission in the number of cases, the medical advice points towards the curtailment of social contact, which is the key towards reducing the spread of this deadly infection.
It is our Public duty to protect one another from harm. The most effective way to do this is to avoid social contact as much as possible. This includes in all walks of life, be it social or religious. It has become necessary that this extraordinary step is taken to ensure the safety and well being of all, as is being done across the globe.
SKIMS would like to share a very good and positive development in fighting against the COVID-19 Pandemic. The first positive case, an elderly lady with history of foreign travel and symptomatic thereof, admitted for management of COVID-19 infection, has responded very well to the treatment and, in fact, recovered with the repeated tests as Negative in 24 hours on the 14th day. She has shown progressive recovery and is being shifted to Level-II for further Quarantine purpose.
SKIMS continues to bear the brunt of COVID-19 patients on account of being symptomatic or falling in the line of suspected cases under various protocols. Till date, the Institute has admitted 133 cases, of which 21 have been discharged to home, while 06 positive cases continue to be under treatment.
Our UT Level Viral Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (VDRL) has tested 219 samples so far, out of which 08 have been tested Positive, while others are Negative. However most of these patients admitted for observation continue to be under surveillance in coordination with the Directorate of Health Services and other Nodal Agencies of Jammu & Kashmir.
I share the resolve, deep concerns and administrative guidelines of the respective Functionaries of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir as well as other Officials for the betterment and Welfare of the common masses.
On a threshold of observing massive influx of patients, public at large is again requested to observe and follow all the Government Advisories as well as the instructions from various Health Institutions/Agencies with regard to prevention and control of this infection. Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include staying at home, avoiding crowded places, washing hands with soap and warm water, practicing good respiratory hygiene and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, strictly following official lockdown, avoid social or religious gatherings, maintain personal and hand hygiene, follow cough and sneezing etiquettes, avoid sharing common use of daily items and reporting to various Health care agencies in the event of developing symptoms related to COVID-19 especially, when there is any history of others being in contact of proven cases of COVID-19 infection or with a travel history to or from an infected area or having been a healthcare worker treating such patients. Slowing the infection rate helps to decrease the risk of health services being overwhelmed allowing for better management of cases.
I would again urge my fellow citizens to be more concerned, careful, staying indoors, stay safe, help others to live without any scare or panic.
The updated data about Corona Virus epidemic at SKIMS is reproduced as under:
Total No. of suspected Corona virus patients treated 152
Total No. of Patients found Positive and are presently under treatment in Isolation Ward 09
Total No. of suspected patients in Quarantine Ward
(after availability of their test report as Negative) 91
Total No. of Patients discharged till date 33
No. of Patients detected Positive today
(Out of the patients admitted yesterday) 03
No. of suspected patients admitted today for investigation/management and are awaiting tests 19
No. of tests done in Microbiology Lab till date 219
Investigations reported till date 219
Investigations reported Positive till date 11
Investigations reported Negative till date 208