Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar April 03 (KINS): Amid surge in COVID-19 cases, Kashmir administration is seeking help from Imams to curb on positives cases in the valley.
For last few weeks, there has been abrupt increase in COVID-19 cases, which has become a cause of concern.
At least 501 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19),108 from Jammu division and 393 from Kashmir division, have been reported today, thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 132439.Also 02 COVID-19 deaths have been reported from Jammu Division.
Authorities are reaching out to people from various fields seeking help to curb COVID-19 cases in the valley.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad Saturday convened a meeting of religious leaders to discuss various issues in view of Ramadhan and adherence of SOPs and other Covid-19 mitigation efforts in the district.
Sources told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that the meeting discussed the impact of the process and precautions or measures that need to be taken to the looming threat of spread of the second wave of Covid-19 Pandemic and the SOPs to be followed in view of the upcoming month of Ramdhan.
Speaking on the occasion, DC urged the imams and other religious heads to motivate the people to follow SOPs especially use of face masks and adopting social distancing.
He asked people not to lower the guard and continue to maintain the highest level of alertness to ensure implementation of SOPs to counter the spread of virus. He also asked them to appeal to the people to administer Covid-19 vaccine.
In view of the upcoming holy month, DC asked the concerned officers to ensure cleanliness around religious places and also appealed to the Imams to ensure the SOPs are followed in letter and spirit.
He reiterated that apart from executing proactive measures, mobilization of all resources and man power shall be put on ready gear to enable the administration to tackle any emergencies arising from the second wave of Covid-19 Pandemic.
Dr Owais called for raising awareness among the masses to persuade the people especially above 45 years of age to go for vaccination.
Later several Imams and religious heads voluntarily received the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine and appealed to the people to receive the vaccine jab at earliest as it is safe and effective.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Zahoor Ahmad Mir, SSP, Dr Mohammad Idrees, Tehsildar, CEO Municipal Council Bandipora, Executive Officer Sumbal besides, Chairman Ahamsharief Wakf Board, Imams; religious leaders besides several district officers were also present on the occasion.
Similarly, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Krittika Jyotsna today chaired a meeting of Officers involved in Covid management to review the progress and action plan for Covid-19 vaccination in the district.
At the outset, the DC took a brief from the concerned about the initiatives and measures taken for achieving Covid-19 vaccination targets and to contain and prevent the spread of virus in the district.
The meeting also discussed an action plan for Covid-19 sampling, vaccination and targets.
On the occasion, the CMO and EO Muncipal Council Ganderbal briefed the chair about the progress of Covid-19 sampling and vaccination progress in the district.
EO, Municipal Council Ganderbal informed that to cope up with the present situation and to ensure proper vaccination of the inhabitants of the town, roaster has been already framed and vaccination process also stands initiated in all wards of the town.
The CMO informed the meeting that about 60 sites for vaccination with adequate facilities are notified in the district covering all blocks of the district.
The DC directed the concerned to gear up the process of Covid-19 sampling and vaccination in the district to ensure that the targets are achieved within the stipulated time frame.
She also stressed for generating mass awareness among people involving PRIs about the importance of Covid-19 vaccination and motivate them for vaccination and to adhere to Covid-19 protocols that are pivotal to prevent the spread of Coronavirus infection. Meanwhile, the DC appealed people over the age of 45 years of the district to visit their nearest Covid Vaccination Center to get themselves vaccinated.
The meeting was attended by Chief Planning Officer Ganderbal, Irfan Giri, Assistant Commissioner Development, Bilal Mukhtar, CMO, EO Municipal Council Ganderbal, BDOs and other concerned. (KINS)
