Asem Mohiuddin
As I am writing this article, the world has reported over 3 million deaths and over 141 million Covid19 cases. In this pandemic, after the United States, India is the second worst sufferer. Forget about the developing countries, the world powers are struggling to control the spread of COVID19. The global economy has shaken with many countries enforcing partial or complete lockdown to beat the virus.
In India the situation is not different rather seems more worrisome.2.74 lakh positive cases have been reported on April 19, 2021 in the country with more than 1600 deaths by the virus. The Maharashtra government has already announced the shutdown and the national capital Delhi is observing a week-long shutdown from April 19 since the two states are the worst affected due to COVID19. Many more states are following.
Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir the virus is equally spreading fast and on April 19, as many as 1526 fresh cases of covid19 were reported. Now the total number of COVID positive cases in the Union Territory is 148208 with unfortunately 6 more deaths on April 19.
Owing to this alarming situation, the UT government announced the closure of schools and colleges till May 15. The fresh SOPs have been announced to control the spread of viruses. Public gatherings have been restricted and only 20 people are allowed to attend the funerals and for indoor gatherings, the size of the crowd can be upto 50 people simultaneously. Besides, for all other outdoor gatherings as many as 100 people can participate.
The government has further ordered that any passengers entering into the UT must be tested for COVID19 and voluntarily go for home isolation until his/her report arrives. The government has extended the list of SOPs now since the hospitals in the UT are over burdened and if the epidemic spreads at mass level, the hospital infrastructure might crumble.
“We have 100 beds available with an oxygen facility at our hospital. And almost all beds are occupied,” says Naveed Nazir, Medical Superintendent Chest Disease Hospital, Srinagar.
He urged people to take all precautionary measures and not to let the situation go out of control.
“Our health infrastructure is not in position to handle the crisis at mass level and if SOPs are followed until the virus is gone, the situation can be handled,” he adds.
Although the authorities are taking all the possible measures to elevate the CD hospital with required infrastructure to deal with COVID infected patients, Naveed says that one more oxygen plant is soon to be installed in the city.
But Dr Muhammad Salim Khan, head of the community medicines at Government Medical College Srinagar is bit concerned over the rising number of covid19 infected cases in the UT.
“In the first wave of COVID19, the number of cases was reported in double digits on a daily basis. People were afraid and strictly followed the rules,” he tells The Legitimate.
“The situation, however, is different this time when the second wave of virus seems more aggressive and deadly. People don’t fear it now and violate SOPs. That is why it is spreading fast now and we report cases in triple digits this time.”
Earlier, the testing labs at CD hospital were reporting just one per cent of positive cases and now it is alarming 15 per cent.
“Over 75 per cent COVID patients admitted in hospitals require oxygen supply which is concerning. Besides the SMHS hospital also witnesses unprecedented rush of same patients in the last few months,” Khan says and warns if Kashmir is facing Delhi or Maharashtra like situation, that is impossible to handle.
Meanwhile, the nationwide vaccination programme also seems to have been falling apart with little over one per cent population being vaccinated so far according to the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.
So far two companies are producing COVID-19 vaccines in India. Serum Institute of India, based in Pune, is working with AstraZeneca to produce Covishield; Bharat Biotech, based in Hyderabad, has taken a manufacturing licence from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to produce Covaxin.
With the massive shortfall and an unprecedented rise in the cases, the Union government engaged three more PSU’s in the vaccine making programme. The companies include Hafkins Biopharmaceuticals Corporation Limited Mumbai, Indian Immunological Limited, Hyderabad and Bharat Immunological and biological Limited, Bulandshahar.
The virus has spread and affected 219 countries and 7 countries including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, India, UK, Italy and France accounts for nearly half the global deaths.
