COVID19: Shocked valley coming to grips as 20 cases show up in 36 hrs

Srinagar, Mar 29:  Shock, tension, panic, and despair sum-up the mood in the Kashmir valley after sudden spurt in the coronavirus positive cases.

People woke up to depressing news of second death due to the coronavirus pandemic, sparking a fresh wave of panic across the valley.  A 62-year-old man hailing from Tangmarg area was tested positive on Saturday and died in the wee hours of Sunday.

Just after three hours of  his death, news of five new confirmed cases added to the fear in the valley.

“Five more positive cases confirmed in Kashmir- two from Srinagar, two from Budgam and one from Baramulla,” tweeted government spokesperson Rohit Kansal.

Earlier on Saturday afternoon, the J&K government spokesperson broke the news that seven more positive cases have been reported from Srinagar. Later in the evening, the spokesperson informed that five more positive cases — two from Srinagar and three from the Jammu — have been confirmed.

The last 24 hours have proved most scary for the people in the valley. People have locked themselves up in their homes to ensure social distancing.

People with the travel history of outside Kashmir have been put in quarantine at many hospitals and makeshift quarantine centers.

However, many quarantine patients in Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital fled claiming that they were denied proper treatment and care. Panic gripped the neighborhood as people started fleeing fearing the spread of infection

Later the health authorities terminated a doctor and suspended another for negligence and dereliction of their duties.

Social media users have been appealing to people to stay indoors and do not venture out unless extreme emergency.