Srinagar on alert as COVID cases rise in Jammu and Kashmir

Fresh Covid-19 curbs may return to the city of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir as 82 containment zones persist in the city, 8 of which were added on Friday. Srinagar deputy commissioner Mohammad Aijaz Asad and health officials visited the parts of the city where infections were on the upswing to monitor the situation.

"The Covid cases are increasing. There are certain places like Lal Bazaar where we have seen 18 cases in the past one week, 12 cases in Chanapora, 15 in Bemina and other pockets from where the infections are getting reported constantly," Asad told the media during the inspection. In addition to this he warned citizens not to violate Covid-19 restrictions on weddings and gatherings as a third wave of the pandemic in the region could be disastrous.

Srinagar is responsible for over half the active infections in Jammu and Kashmir, with an average 40-60 cases reported daily.

Jammu and Kashmir reported 151 Covid cases on Saturday, highest daily total in 45 days. Of the total cases, 135 were reported in Kashmir valley with Srinagar, which is witnessing a spurt in cases, being responsible for 79 infections. Although the Union Territory saw a steady decline until October, infections have been spiking again with the public also accusing the government of violating its own protocols by holding mass gatherings and rallies.

The government's daily health bulletin also said that 81,729 vaccines were administered, taking the number of overall doses administered in the UT to 1.51 crore. The overall number of people who have recovered reached 3,27,380, prompting the recovery rate to climb up to 98.35%. Since the pandemic started, the total cases in J&K have reached 3,32,911 and the death toll stood at 4,440.