Srinagar, Mar 05 (KNO): As the Jammu and Kashmir administration has geared up to tackle any eventuality due to the deadly virus, the coronavirus (COVID) 19) scare has started looming large in Kashmir with people discussion it in gossip lounges and also at private and government offices.
The discussion is all about how to protect from the deadly virus that has plunged entire world in a serious crisis. According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the deadly coronavirus that took birth from Wuhan city of China is spread in many countries at present and claimed over 3000 lives in different countries mostly in China so far. The threat of the virus has also prompted the Jammu and Kashmir administration to address a press conference to spread awareness among the people as well as making people aware about the steps being taken to tackle the situation even at a time when no positive case has been reported in the Union Territory.
The people in Kashmir irrespective of the age group can be seen discussing the deadly viral virus at every place. This reporter observed many places where the people were discussing the issue and its consequences in the Valley. Ghulam Nabi, an elderly, who was sitting at a shop, was also discussing the virus with the shopkeeper. Nabi told the shopkeeper that some people who have flu symptoms have been kept at isolation in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) here. The shopkeeper instantly replied they have only symptoms and no one has been found positive yet.
The places this reporter visited throughout the day were abuzz with the topic and all seem worried about the deadly virus. “(Yi chu khatarnaak virus) It is a dangerous virus,” a youth was heard saying at a mobile shop today in Lal Chowk. Not only on shops, but this topic is also being discussed in everyone’s home, offices and business places. Notably, no one has been found positive so far in Jammu and Kashmir while as the administration has appealed people not to panic in this regard.
Besides, to keep men and machinery ready for any eventuality, the administration has also set up a 10-bed isolation ward with general Out Patient Department (OPD) at Sanantnag to deal with such patients. The administration has also deputed doctors at Srinagar International Airport here for the screening of the passengers. Besides, check-points have also been set up on Srinagar-Jammu highway to screen the travelers from affected countries—(KNO)