As 61 more pilgrims test +ve, SMVDSB asks yatris to follow CAB

202 new cases in J&K, one dies in Leh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU/SRINAGAR/LEH, Dec 4: As 61 more pilgrims of Vaishno Devi Ji shrine tested positive for COVID-19 today, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) appealed to the yatris to strictly follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) and don’t let down their guard in the wake of recent spike in the cases.
A total of 202 positive cases were reported in J&K today including 114 in Kashmir and 88 in Jammu while Ladakh recorded one casualty and 27 cases.
Among 88 cases in Jammu region, 61 were reported from Reasi district and all of them were pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine who were found infected during COVID testing on their arrival at Katra Railway Station. With this, number of yatris from different States reporting positive on their arrival at Katra during last four days has crossed 200.
With spike in cases, the SMVDSB came out with fresh advisory to the pilgrims.
CEO SMVDSB Romesh Kumar appealed to the visiting devotees for adherence to the COVID-Appropriate Behaviour, taking precautions to curb spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and not let down their guard in the wake of a recent spike in COVID cases.
He urged the people coming on the pilgrimage of holy shrine to keep with them the valid and verifiable RT-PCR report of not more than 72 hours.
“Pilgrims have also been advised to keep with them masks, besides maintaining social distance norms. It has already been mandatory for the pilgrims to wear face masks/face cover(s) and every yatri proceeding on the yatra is being scanned through Thermal Scanners at the yatra entry points,” Kumar said.
For the awareness of the visiting pilgrims about various precautionary measures to be adopted in view of COVID-19, regular announcements are also being made on the already installed Multi-Purpose Audio System and Hi-Tech Video Walls on the track.
Noteworthy that the Shrine Board is sanitizing its premises in sync with the guidelines and protocols for ensuring safety of the visiting pilgrims, staff and the public at large.
Meanwhile, Jammu district reported 15 new cases, Doda six, Rajouri four and Kathua and Samba districts one each. Ramban district has no active positive case as on date.
Thirty six persons today recovered from the virus leaving number of active positive cases in Jammu region to 455.
In Ladakh, a 69-year-old man from Thiksay in Leh district died of COVID-19 taking Corona toll in the UT to 215 including 157 in Leh and 58 in Kargil.
Out of 27 fresh cases in Ladakh, 26 were reported from Leh district and one in Kargil.
New cases have taken number of active positive cases in Ladakh to 311—286 in Leh and 25 in Kargil.
Meanwhile, Kashmir today reported 114 fresh cases of COVID-19.
Those who tested positive include 49 from Srinagar, 18 from Baramulla, 12 from Budgam, 6 from Pulwama, 6 from Kupwara, 3 from Anantnag, 11 from Bandipora and 9 from Ganderbal.
The number of cases in Kashmir division has reached 212,301 including 208,731 recoveries and 2,294 deaths.
The number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 1,731 including 1,276 from Kashmir division.
With 202 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 331,436 which is 98.16 percent of the total cases.