COVID 19 takes heavy toll on J&K police: 15 cops die, 3276 test positive in 2020

SRINAGAR:  COVID 19 has taken a heavy toll on Jammu and Kashmir police with 15 personnel succumbing to the infection and 3276 testing positive in 2020.

Around 1329 police personnel tested positive in Kashmir Zone. Of whom six personnel died. Likewise, 1947 cops tested positive in Jammu. Of whom nine lost their lives.

“Many Police personnel voluntarily donated plasma. Police personnel at times assisted by NGOs and volunteers distributed medicines, ration, cooked food, hand sanitizers, masks, and other required items to the needy,” said Dilbag Singh, director-general of police, Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh said fabricated sanitization tunnels, no-touch hand washstands, remote-controlled trolleys, face shields, face Masks, PP dresses were manufactured in police works shops and police welfare centers to deal with the COVID-19 situation effectively. 

“We faced COVID challenges. But we worked in a mission mode. Without caring for their own safety, cops worked for the people. Policemen worked like missionaries reaching out to people in need. They provided ration to the needy and ferried the ill to hospitals. I feel proud to say that the relation between the people and police got cemented during this pandemic,” he said.

DGP said most of the COVID positive patients have recovered from the infection. “Only 50 to 60 people are now positive. We had made adequate arrangements to deal with the situation. But it is painful that 15 of our colleagues succumbed to the infection,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir has 120744 positive cases. Of whom 3034 are active positive and 115830 have recovered. The death toll has reached 1880. Of whom 695 have died in the Jammu division and 1185 in the Kashmir division.

Till December 30, 881601 persons have been enlisted for observation. They include 12885 persons in-home quarantine, 3034 in isolation, and 30845 in-home surveillance. Besides, 832957 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Till Wednesday, 3792251test results were available. Of which 3671507 samples have been tested negative

Official data accessed by The Kashmir Monitor reveal that the recovery rate of the Covid-19 patients in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 95.8 percent on December 29.