After second case of Coronavirus tested positive in Jammu, the district authorities ordered closure of all shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, recreational clubs across Jammu district with immediate effect till March 31, 2020.
According to official sources, “one of the persons who came in contact with a 63 year old coronavirus patient, with a travel history to Iran, tested positive on Friday”. “The patient has been kept in an isolation ward of GMC, Jammu for last three days and is being monitored by the team of doctors”,official sources said.
According to a statement issued by Department of Information and Public Relations, “District Magistrate Jammu, in exercise of power vested under Section 144 CrPc, has ordered closure of all shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, recreational clubs in district Jammu with immediate effect. This order shall remain in effect till 31st March, 2020. Any violation of this order shall invite action under Indian Penal Code”.
The government had already ordered closure of cinema halls, multiplexes after closing down schools, colleges and Universities across Jammu and Kashmir to prevent spread of coronavirus cases.
In another related development ,Dr Shafkat Khan, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Efforts was also placed under suspension with immediate effect for dereliction of duties.
A suspected coronavirus patient, with a travel history to South Korea, was discharged from Government Medical College hospital, Jammu late Thursday evening after his second sample tested negative.
According to Bhupinder Kumar, Mission Director, National Health Mission and nodal officer, a total number of 1743 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance while as 1485 persons are under home quarantine.
He said, a total number of 85 samples have been sent for testing, of which 77 tested as negative and only two cases have tested positive, so far while as reports of six cases are awaited till March 13, 2020.
He also informed that 159 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period and, so far, only two cases have been tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir.
Persons who are in hospital quarantine stand at 18 and 81 persons are under home surveillance, he added.
As per the latest travel advisory issued by the Central Government, all travellers having travel history to coronavirus affected countries are advised to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival. On its part, Jammu and Kashmir police has also launched a special drive to spread awareness among commuters using public transport buses for travel. Pilgrims arriving at Katra, base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine are also being screened by the team of doctors stationed at helipad and Katra railway station.