The first fortnight of May has proven to be deadly in Jammu and Kashmir as more than seven hundred people succumbed to COVID19 infection and nearly 40,000 people fell ill – despite a full-fledged lockdown of the region.
The deaths in Jammu and Kashmir surged from 2283, recorded on eve of 30 April, to 3027 on 14 May.
The number of positive cases also marked a rise from 106559 on 30 April to 145513 on 14 May as 38,960 tested positive for the infection.
The numbers of dead and ill marked a record rise despite a lockdown ordered on 29 April which saw closure of markets and businesses across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to official data, 123 deaths were recorded in Srinagar where hospitals are running short of ICUs, and Kashmir recorded 262 deaths in May’s first fortnight. The rest of deaths took place in the Jammu division.
The active positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir also recorded a staggering increase as their numbers rose from 28359 on 30 April to 52001 on 14 May.
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed it’s first case of Covid-19 in March 2020 and after six months, around 1700 cases were reported daily. However, there was a respite for a few months till February 2021.
Again on 1 March, there was a sudden spike and 631 cases were detected. After a month, daily cases rose to more than 2000 in the Kashmir region alone.
As the first lockdown was eased last year, tourism was allowed to slowly pick pace, and tourists were allowed to visit Kashmir from October when the spread of infection had slowed down.
