Srinagar: Despite massive spike in Covid-19 cases, the government is yet to start screening travellers who come from different states of the country and other countries at airports and other important junctions.
Besides, there is a growing concern about the lack of testing centres and implementation of Covid Appropriate Behavior and SOPs.
In previous waves the government had set up multiple testing centres to detect the virus. But this year, the number of testing centres has reduced significantly. The lack of testing centres has led to a situation where many cases are going undetected, further exacerbating the situation.
So far, the government has started testing people at hospitals but important junctions including airports where there is more tendency of virus to spread among the people have been left on God’s mercy. While mock drills have been conducted, they have done little to alleviate the situation on the ground.
In the last few weeks the Covid-19 positive cases have swelled. Official sources told Greater Kashmir that even at valley hospitals doctors are confused and misjudge Covid symptoms with seasonal flu.” Proper testing is not being done here. Even, RTPCR tests are being done at low pace,” they said.
Doctors in the Valley told Greater Kashmir that the cases of Covid-19 are increasing compared to the previous months. Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, HoD, Chest Disease (CD) hospital told Greater Kashmir that after conducting Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) , atleast six patients are being tested positive everyday and three patients show positive results on RTPCR test at CD hospital.
“Keeping in view the current spike in Covid-19 cases in the country including Jammu and Kashmir, the cases will rise in the coming weeks,” he said.
Dr Naveed said that the people especially high-risk people should take precautions and follow the Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). “Wearing masks, avoiding social gatherings is very important to prevent the spread of viruses,” he said.
“Though the positive cases show mild symptoms. So far, 10 patients have been admitted at the hospital. They are recovering well, ” he said.
Spokesperson, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir told Greater Kashmir that so far, they have not started the testing facility at the airport.” We have not received any guidelines to screen the travellers at the airport yet. We are testing patients at different district hospitals, ” he said.He said that as of now there is a stable situation in Kashmir but valley hospitals are prepared.
Besides, the district administrations are taking this wave slightly with no advisories being issued on ground. People are seen roaming freely without wearing masks. As the Eid-ul-Fitr is approaching, there are apprehensions that the positive rate might go up due to the mass gathering of people.It is worth mentioning that public health experts in India said that the next two weeks are crucial in the fight against the latest phase of Covid-19 as they predict a “big surge” engulfing the country in the days to come.
The covid variant XBB.1.16, also known as Arcturus, is believed to be behind the current surge in coronavirus cases in India.