Kashmir reports first death due to coronavirus, 65-year-old passes away
What's the story
In a distressing piece of news, a 65-year-old died of coronavirus in Kashmir, reports said on Thursday, making him the first person to have passed away of the deadly disease in the area. The man, who hailed from Hyderpora village, died three days ago at the Government Chest Disease Hospital in Srinagar. He tested positive for the virus, media reports added.
Details
Senior officials expressed condolences, stressed on breaking chain of transmission
Confirming the news, government spokesperson Rohit Kansal, said four contacts of the deceased tested positive yesterday. Kansal stressed on the importance of maintaining distance in these turbulent times and urged people to stay at home. Separately, Junaid Azim Mattu, the Srinagar mayor expressed condolences to the family and saluted health workers for the efforts. He requested people to break the chain of transmission.
Twitter Post
We share your grief: Junaid Azim Mattu
As we share the sad news of our first #Covid19 fatality, my heart goes out to the family of the deceased. We stand with you and share your grief.
— Mayor of Srinagar (@MayorofS) March 26, 2020
I also salute the brave doctors at CD Hospital for their efforts.
Let’s do our bit and help #BreakTheChain and #StayHomeStaySafe.
Data
Seven doctors have also tested positive in Kashmir
In the area, 70, including seven doctors, have tested positive. However, authorities believe the number of infections will rise as some people apparently concealed their travel history. More than 5,124 travelers and people who came in contact with positive cases have been kept under surveillance. 3,061 are in quarantine in government facilities, 80 are in hospital quarantine and 1,477 are at their homes.
Details
Number of infections stands at 665
What's concerning is of the large number of suspects only 300 have been sent for testing. Apart from the Kashmir man, an 85-year-old woman in Gujarat and a 54-year-old man in Tamil Nadu also died of coronavirus in India in 24 hours. The number of infections is 665 and 12 have died across the country. Most number of infections were reported from Maharashtra.
Lockdown
India was put under lockdown for 21 days by Modi
The entire population has been put under lockdown for 21 days, starting Wednesday. In his second address to the nation within a week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored that most of the countries were dealing with the pandemic and that their health care facilities have collapsed. He said staying inside homes is the only way to defeat the virus, which has killed over 21,000 globally.
Aftermath
After his speech ended, panic took over Indians
The lockdown affected lakhs, naturally. While some rushed to stores to stock up essentials, migrant laborers, scattered across the country, started walking to their native villages as all trains and buses have been suspended. PM Modi had requested countrymen to stay where they are, but his speech did little to dispel fears about the road ahead. States have assured to take care of underprivileged.