By GNS on 22/05/2020.

Srinagar, May 22: Two bakers from Pulwama district were among 40 fresh cases of the COVID-19 infection in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, taking the overall tally closer to 1500.

Official sources told GNS 18 of the cases were reported from Shopian, four from Samba, three each from Baramulla and Kupwara, two each from Anantnag, Srinagar, Pulwama, Rajouri while one case each was reported from Kulgam, Bandipora, Budgam and Poonch. The overall case tally has risen to 1489—749 of them active positive cases—603 in Kashmir and 146 in Jammu. 720 patients have recovered, 36 of them were discharged today, while 20 others have died.

Sources said that 16 of these cases, all from Shopian district, were confirmed at viral diagnostic lab at SKIMS Bemina, ten at viral diagnostic laboratory at SKIMS Soura, seven at Microbiology Lab of CD Hospital and remaining at Jammu and private labs.

Nodal officer for coronavirus control at SKIMS Soura, Dr G H Yatoo, told GNS that ten samples out of 2088 which returned positive include those of three persons each from Baramulla and Kupwara, two from Shopian— 25-year-old woman from Palpora and 45-year-old Memandarwhile one each is from Srinagar—19-year-old man Hyderpora and Budgam—23-year-old man from Sheikhpora.

The Kupwara cases include three men— 30-year-old from Handwara, 42-year-old from Lolab and 32-year-old from Hyhama while those from Baramulla include 30-year-old male from Wuhama Rafiabad besides 30-year-old each woman and man from Hardichillo Tangmarg.

Dr. Salim Khan, nodal officer for COVID-19 at the Government Medical College Srinagar told GNS that out of 720 samples processed at Microbiology Lab of CD Hospital here, seven returned positive.

Sources said that they include two bakers from Pinglena Pulwama, one of them is 30-year-old and other 55-year-old. The other cases include 65-year-old woman from Malnag Anantnag, 85-year-old man from Qazigund Kulgam, 25-year-old from Drarangan Anantnag, 38-year-old woman, initially admitted to LD hospital and now shifted to JVC Bemina and 48-year-old woman pneumonia patient from Kargil, admitted to SMHS hospital Srinagar.

With these fresh cases, Anantnag now has 266 COVID-19 patients, highest in all districts, followed by Kulgam (193), Srinagar (176), Bandipora (138), Baramulla (132), Kupwara (128), Shopian (127), Jammu (68), Budgam (63), Kathua (40), Udhampur (33), Ramban (30), Ganderbal (27), Pulwama (21), Samba (20), Rajouri (10), Kishtwar (7), Poonch5, Reasi 4 and one in Doda.

Government said till date 128517 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 32077 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 73 in Hospital Quarantine, 749 in hospital isolation and 25132under home surveillance. Besides, 70466 persons have completed their surveillance period.