Testing capacity

Testing capacity

The government has recently taken slew of measures to contain the spread of infection due to the Omicron variant. The testing has been increased while the number of hospitalizations due to the Omicron infection has not increased.

In comparison to the second (Delta) wave, Jammu and Kashmir has doubled its testing capacity to over 80,000 daily tests which is also being reflected in the higher number of daily reported cases. It was informed that although the number of reported daily cases has crossed the peak of the second wave, the comparative peak positivity rate and bed occupancy rate during the current wave continue to remain low at 7.0% and 6.2% viz-a-viz second wave’s 10.9% and 60.8% respectively. Jammu and Kashmir is also maintaining a lower positivity rate in comparison to the national average of about 17%.

Taking note of the increased number of COVID cases, the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir in a recent review meeting, impressed upon all departments to permit a suitable percentage of the workforce including all pregnant employees to work from home.

He appealed to the public to remain indoors and avoid visiting crowded places, besides urging them to voluntarily declare micro-containment zones in the areas which are seeing a large number of positive cases. He informed that symptomatic people can avail medical assistance and testing information by dialing the COVID emergency helpline number 104.

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