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Srinagar, May 26: Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases across India, Jammu and Kashmir has heightened its preparedness, with health authorities intensifying surveillance and reinforcing precautionary protocols.
The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), under the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has ramped up monitoring efforts for potential COVID-19 cases across both regions of the Union Territory.
Dr. Harjeet Rai, State Epidemiologist and IDSP head for Jammu province, stated that no active COVID-19 cases have been reported in J&K so far, though testing and preventive measures are ongoing.
โThere is no reason for alarm at present as no positive cases have been detected. Routine testing is being conducted for severe respiratory infections and influenza-like illnesses, following Union Health Ministry guidelines,โ Dr. Rai said.
He added that the last recorded COVID-19 case in J&K was in November 2024, and no new infections have surfaced since. Regular nationwide mock drills continue to be held as a precautionary strategy.
Health experts note that COVID-19, like other viral diseases, tends to re-emerge after quiet periods. A GMC Srinagar expert remarked, โCOVID-19 has become endemic and is expected to recur periodically like the flu, though the current impact remains mild.โ
India is witnessing a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, with around 1,000 active cases reported on the Health Ministryโs dashboard. States like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi have seen a rise in cases, including those involving a new variant called NB.1.8.1.
In response to rising infections in countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong, Indiaโs Ministry of Health and Family Welfare held a high-level review meeting on Monday with experts from NCDC, ICMR, EMR division, Disaster Management Cell, and key central hospitals.
India continues to maintain strong surveillance for respiratory viruses through IDSP and ICMR, and the Health Ministry remains proactive in ensuring public health safety.
