Anantnag: The COVID infections in the Kashmir Valley in the month of January have crossed the individual tally of at least six months, even as the administration has taken several measures – including closure of educational institutions – to stop the spread.
Kashmir Valley has witnessed 4267 fresh infections so far in January, as the total number has increased to 219317 in ten districts, out of which 2399 people have lost their lives due to the infection.
The increase in the number of infections is no less than meteoric. On January 12, Kashmir Reader reported that the first ten days of the month saw about 55 percent of December’s total.
“The infections of this month have now surpassed not only December but also the previous five months including November, October, September, August and July,” an official, for data on COVID-19, told Kashmir Reader,
The numbers are rising alarmingly and if experts are to be believed, the daily number of cases could rise up to five times the highest daily number in the second wave.
Dr. Parvez Kaul, Director, SKIMS and a well-known pulmonologist recently told Kashmir Reader, “The highest daily infection was recorded at 3500 in the second wave. It may now be five times due to the super spreading nature of Omicron. “
Kaul’s words hold true only when the increase in the number of infections during the first 13 days of January is taken into account. From close to a hundred cases on January 1, the ten districts of the Kashmir Valley have seen close to 2000 cases on January 13.
“This is an increase of 1900 per cent in daily cases. It is mind-boggling,” an official with access to data on Covid-19 told Kashmir Reader, “and the worrying thing is that we don’t see the numbers come down any time soon.
From imposing fines for not wearing masks, giving booster doses and closing educational institutions, the administration is on its toes to stem the rise in the number of infections. Nothing seems to be working right now.
What is hopeful though is that experts believe that there is no need to panic, as their claims are based on the number of people who have been hospitalized so far. A recent Health Department report suggested that only a little over 5 per cent of the available COVID beds in J&K are full.
“We have a total of 4794 dedicated level-1 and level-2 Covid beds. Of them, only 261 are in possession as of now,” read the report released on January 13. “Observing precautions is the way forward. Don’t panic,” it adds.
The number of virus deaths this month further corroborates the claim of experts. So far 10 people have lost their lives in the Kashmir Valley in the month of January.
“If we compare the death toll in December (38) and November (35), the increase in infections may not be as worrying as it might seem,” the official told Kashmir Reader.
Meanwhile, district-wise, the districts of Srinagar, Baramulla and Budgam are the worst affected in terms of number of infections. Overall, 3409 fresh infections have been reported in the three districts this month, which is about 80 per cent of the total infections in the Kashmir Valley.
“Srinagar alone has reported 1905 fresh infections this month and is the worst-affected, as it has been since the start of the pandemic,” the official said. He said that Baramulla has reported 934 infections so far this month, while 570 infections have been reported in Budgam district. fresh cases.
South Kashmir’s Shopian district is the least affected with only eight fresh cases in January. “In fact, the South Kashmir region, which comprises four districts, has only 411 new cases this month, which is less than the individual count of Budgam district,” the official said.
He said that other districts should look south and see what is being done in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts.
