Corona positive cases soar past 200 mark in JK

As COVID-19 positive cases cross 200 mark in Jammu and Kashmir, strict restrictions were enforced on the movement and assembly of people. The security forces sealed off main roads in most places in the valley and erected barriers at several other places. More than 53,000 people have been kept under surveillance including those who are either in quarantine facilities set up by the government or in-home isolation.

Srinagar: The corona-led lockdown in Kashmir entered 27th day on Tuesday with the infected cases crossing the 200-mark in the valley amid the continued restrictions on the movement and assembly of people to curb the pandemic, said officials.

They said to enforce the restrictions on the movement and assembly of people, the security forces have sealed off main roads in most places in the valley and erected barriers at several other places. Only persons with valid passes were allowed to move, they added.

The officials said in the declared red zones across the valley, the restrictions have been intensified as authorities have warned of strict action against anyone violating prohibitory orders.

There will be no inward and outward movement of any person from the areas declared red zones and the people will have to stay in their homes to ensure complete lockdown as restrictions have been intensified. Strict action will be taken against those who violate the prohibitory orders, they said.

Meanwhile, markets across the valley were shut and public transport was off roads with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to open, the officials said.

Educational institutions across Kashmir are closed, while all public places including gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants had been shut down more than a week before the nationwide lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While the country-wide lockdown came into effect on March 24-25 midnight, the Union Territory administration here had enforced the lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir from March 22 as part of its efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The administration said the essential services including healthcare personnel have been exempted from the restrictions.

Restrictions were first imposed in many parts of the valley on March 19 to contain the spread of the virus infection. The measures were taken after the detection of the first coronavirus-positive case in the valley.

The total number of positive cases in the union territory has risen to 270 -- out of which 222 were in Kashmir and 48 in Jammu. Four patients have died in Jammu and Kashmir and 16 have recovered.

More than 53,000 people have been kept under surveillance including those who are either in quarantine facilities set up by the government or in home isolation.

"Till date 53,679 travellers and people in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance. They include 8,581 persons in home quarantine or state-run facilities, 354 in hospital quarantine, 250 in hospital isolation and 30,634 under home surveillance. Besides, 13,856 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period," the officials said.

PTI report.