Three new novel coronavirus positive cases were reported in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, all from the Kashmir division, officials said, taking to 109 the total number of confirmed patients in the Union Territory.

In its daily media bulletin on the COVID-19 situation, the Jammu and Kashmir administration also advised people to cut down on listening to news all the time as it may be upsetting and spend quality time with family.
The administration said of the 109, 103 are active cases, four have recovered and two have died.

3 areas in Kashmir declared as red zones by authorities
Srinagar: Authorities on Monday declared three areas in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts as red zones to prevent the spread of coronavirus after positive cases were detected from these areas, officials said.
Two areas — Chattabal yam — in Srinagar and Guzhama in Ganderbal have been declared as red zones, the officials said.
They said all entry and exit points leading to these areas were sealed after cases of COVID-19 affected persons were reported from these areas.
No outward or inward movement of any individual for any reason would be allowed in these areas, they added.
Srinagar District Magistrate Shahid Iqbal Choudhary issued an order for sealing Chattabal area, saying it was aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus infection.

The DM said it is also aimed at enabling smooth conduct of a survey to detect suspects in the area.
The proposed survey is aimed at determining whether the infection has spread in the area and whether there is a need for isolating any of its residents, he said.
In Ganderbal, the district magistrate declared Guzhama village as a red zone and its surrounding villages, including Batpora and Khanpora, as buffer zones, the officials said.
The DM ordered strict imposition of restrictions in these areas.
The officials said supply of essential commodities, including food grains, LPG and medicines, as per laid down protocols in these areas would be ensured.

Eighty-five cases are from Kashmir and 18 from Jammu division, it said.
Furthermore, till date 35,243 travellers and contacts of suspected cases have been put under surveillance which include 10,556 in home-quarantine, the bulletin said.
Others include 615 in hospital quarantine, 103 in hospital isolation and 17,506 under home surveillance. Besides, 6,463 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period, it said.

The bulletin said that till date 1,708 samples have been sent for testing of which 1,583 have tested as negative, and 16 reports are awaited as on Monday.
The bulletin urged the public to stay indoors, strictly follow social-distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to COVID-19 affected countries and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.
Spending quality time with family and getting involved in family discussions while staying at home during this period will help reduce anxiety and distress. Try to connect with your family members & loved ones through phone call or video call if they stay far from you, the bulletin says in its advice to people.
The bulletin called on people to engage in recreational activities like solving puzzles, playing board games, listening to music, reading etc to reduce boredom. It is important to be physically active. Simple stretching exercises, simple yoga postures, walking indoors or meditation will be beneficial not only for your physical health but also mental health.
Keep yourself busy in doing small activities at home to reduce boredom like gardening, cleaning and cooking etc. Cut down on listening to news all the time as it may be upsetting, the bulletin reads.

The general public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals.
In case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on COVID-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed, the bulletin said.
It said the general public can avail of free ambulance services 24×7 in case of any emergency at their doorsteps by calling on toll free No. 108.
Pregnant women and sick infants can avail of free ambulance services by dialing toll-free No. 102.
Meanwhile, the Rural Development Department of Jammu and Kashmir has initiated a slew of measures, including distribution of masks and sanitiser, for containment and mitigation of the coronavirus outbreak in the rural areas.

Giving details, Director Rural Development Department in Jammu Sudershan Kumar said that the staff of the department and elected panchayat members are working in close coordination with district administrations to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection.
The department has so far distributed around 1,65,811 masks in Jammu division — Doda district 15,000, Jammu 12,200, Kathua 18,400, Kishtwar 19,195, Poonch 5,000, Rajouri 28,500, Ramban 2,000, Reasi 8,194, Samba 13,347 and Udhampur 43,975, he said.
Village awareness and monitoring committees have been formed at panchayat and block levels for the purpose of creating awareness, surveillance and monitoring of COVID-19 among the rural masses, he said.

The director said the block-level committees headed by block development council (BDC) chairpersons and panchayat-level committees headed by Sarpanchs are making rural people aware about the benefits of frequent and proper washing of hands with soap, use of sanitiser and maintaining cleanliness in and around the villages.
Coordination with district administrations in taking care of the elderly, disabled, pregnant women and chronically-ill patients remains high priority of the department, Kumar said.

The department is “also helping volunteers in making arrangements and distribution of basic amenities to the needy persons, including stranded labourers, Kumar said.
He said persons who are being home quarantined for 14 days are properly monitored by the panchayat members so that there is no chance of further spread of the infection.