In Kashmir, a 65-year-old man from Hyderpora village who tested positive for the virus three days ago died this morning at the Government Chest Disease Hospital in Srinagar.
“As we share the sad news of our first COVID-19 fatality, my heart goes out to the family of the deceased. We stand with you and share your grief,” Junaid Azim Mattu, the Srinagar mayor tweeted.
“I also salute the brave doctors at Chest Disease Hospital for their efforts. Let us do our bit and help break the chain and stay home, stay safe,” he added.
Mayor of Srinagar:
“As we share the sad news of our first #Covid19 fatality, my heart goes out to the family of the deceased. We stand with you and share your grief.
I also salute the brave doctors at CD Hospital for their efforts.
Let’s do our bit and help #BreakTheChain and #StayHomeStaySafe.”
Four others who came in contact with the man who died also tested positive on Wednesday and have been quarantined, as have over 70 others, including seven doctors. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir is now 11.
Authorities in Kashmir have expressed apprehensions that the number of cases could be more than reported as a significant number of people appeared to have concealed their travel history.
Over 5,124 travellers and people who came in contact with suspected and positive cases have been put under surveillance. Among them 3,061 are in home quarantine (in facilities operated by the government), 80 in hospital quarantine and 1,477 under home surveillance.
However, only around 300 cases have been sent for testing so far.
In Maharashtra, the worst-hit state with more than 120 active cases, a woman from Navi Mumbai who died on March 24 tested positive for the virus today, state health officials said.
