Markets re-open in Srinagar after 3 months
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 13: Four COVID-19 positive persons including a doctor died in Kashmir today taking total fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir to 57 while 99 persons including 24 CRPF men tested positive for Coronavirus in the Valley.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan told Excelsior that a 75-year-old man from Gutyarbagh in Baramulla district died at the hospital in the afternoon. He had underlying disease such as KCO, COPD, HTN and T2DM. He said the body was in mortuary as he tested positive for the coronavirus.
A 60-year old man from Shopian district in South Kashmir died at the SMHS hospital today. He was admitted to the hospital on June 11 and his swab sample was taken next day. He had bilateral pneumonia and died this morning. He tested positive for the COVID-19 after death. Click here to watch video
Earlier, in the morning a 74-year-old doctor from Parraypora Srinagar died of COVID-19 this morning at SKIMS Bemina here.
Dr Riyaz Untoo, Principal SKIMS Bemina, told Excelsior that the patient was on treatment for COVID-19 from June 2 at the hospital. “He was intubated and on ventilator,” he said. “The Consultant and SR Critical Care were on spot managing the patient who could not survive despite all efforts.” He was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Dr Riyaz said that another COVID-19 patient aged 60 from Nowgam Srinagar, admitted as asymptomatic COVID-19 on 5th June having underlying Diabetes, Hypertension and CKD suddenly became breathless and died at SKIMS Bemina tonight.
He had developed unconsciousness and was shifted to ICU, where he had hypotension, resuscitation but doctors could not revive him. He was expected to be discharged tomorrow.
So far Srinagar district with 13 deaths has the highest fatalities, followed by Baramulla 11, Kulgam eight, Anantnag six, five in Shopian, Kupwara three, two each in Pulwama and Budgam while one death has been reported from Bandipora.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, Dr Farooq Jan, told Excelsior that out of 1984 samples processed at the viral diagnostic lab today, 66 tested positive. Among them 33 are from Anantnag, 10 from Srinagar, six each from Kupwara, Baramulla, Shopian besides three Bandipora and two from Ganderbal.
Regarding Anantnag cases, he said, 22 of them are from CRPF 94 Battalion, CRPF Urnhall besides one each from 40 and 80 battalions respectively.
Sources said that 800 samples were processed at the CD hospital lab and 38 tested positive for COVID-19. They include three pregnant women.
Dr Riyaz Untoo, said that 493 samples were processed at the virology lab of the hospital and 14 tested positive out of which nine are from Budgam and five from Shopian.
And after remaining shut since March, the commercial activities resumed in Srinagar today.
The resumption has brought back the markets to life in Srinagar, where the markets were otherwise wearing a deserted look during the lockdown that was imposed to prevent the spread of deadly COVID-19.
Shopkeepers were seen opening their shops, putting the goods at display early in the morning.
The decision of allowing the business activities was taken by the district administration after due deliberations with the traders.
The officials said that the decision was taken after the timing and the rotation for the opening up of the shops were agreed upon by the stakeholders.
The roadside vendors were also seen on the roads selling fruits and vegetables. They, however, were seen making sure that the customers stopping by are taking due care of social distancing norms.
“This was need of the hour, we have already suffered a lot and by allowing us to carry on with the commercial activities, though, in a limited way, it is surely going to help us,” Ghulam Rasool, a shopkeeper said.
It is pertinent to mention here, that the District Magistrate, Srinagar had notified and issued a schedule with conditions for opening of shops and business establishments from June 13 in Srinagar.
The reopening was made subject to adherence to the SOPs in the wake of COVID-19. The administration had earlier, sensitized the stakeholders about notified SOPs.
The shops that have been allowed to open full day on weekdays from Monday to Saturday include bookshops, stationeries, chemists, medical product shops, grocery, fruit, and vegetable shops, milk & milk products, meat/poultry, farming products, repair workshops, e-commerce & courier, hotels/ restaurants for home-delivery/take-away, bakery and other essential products.
Those dealing with Business establishments like readymade garments, cloth, cosmetics, footwear, electronics & electrical equipment, jewelry, and tailors/designers/boutiques have been allowed to open their shops from 11 am to 5.30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
In this regard, suggestions and recommendations were also sought from the healthcare experts in Kashmir.
Furthermore, the businesses dealing in handicrafts, handlooms, hardware, building material, furniture, furnishing, automobiles, services stations, salons/barbers/beauty parlors and all other sectors have been allowed to open from 11 am to 5.30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
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