J&K reports the highest spike of 13 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, Toll 209

• J&K toll reaches 209

COVID19 deaths witnessed a spurt in J&K on Wednesday with 13 people dying of the viral illness in a day, the toll reaching 209.

In the past 15 days, the death toll attributed to COVID19 rose from 101 to 209. The deaths doubled in two weeks, revealing the high mortality of patients. While many doctors believe that the rise in the number of deaths was reflective of the “actual number of cases” in the community, hospitals are grappling to accommodate moderately and critically sick COVID19 patients.

Ten of the 13 deaths reported today took place at SKIMS. Dr Farooq Jan, medical superintendent of the Institute said the high number of deaths was due to the high number of critical patients admitted at the Institute.

At midnight, a 70 year old man from Illahibagh area in Srinagar died, 10 days after he was admitted to the Institute. The patient was suffering from pneumonia, was COVID19 positive and had multiple organ dysfunction, Dr Jan said.

Around 2 am, one more Srinagar resident, a 52-year-old man from Lal Bazar died at SKIMS. As per information issued by the Institute, the deceased had been admitted on 13 July with difficulty in breathing. He did not have any reported comorbidity and tested positive. “He had COVID19 pneumonia in both lungs,” Dr. Jan said.

A COVID19 positive 60 year old woman from Sopore in Baramulla died at the Institute in the wee hours of Wednesday. She was admitted as a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage and had been admitted on 13 July.

In the morning, around 6: 30 am, another Baramulla resident, an 85 year old man from Ladoora area died. He had been referred from GMC Baramulla and was known to have hypertension, heart disease, and lung disease. “He also had COVID19 pneumonia on both sides,” Dr Jan said.

Half an hour later, a third Baramulla resident, a 60 year old man from Sopore, expired. He had hypertension, hypothyroidism, and COVID19 pneumonia, hospital administration said.

A Pulwama resident, a 77 year old man from New Colony area passed away three days after he had been admitted with COVID9 pneumonia.

A 50 year old from Hathnagloo area in Sopore Baramulla also died at the Institute later. The patient was on a ventilator for three days at the Institute. A health official said the deceased was known to have hypertension and hypothyroidism in addition to have developed COVID19 pneumonia. He was admitted at SKIMS since 05 July.

A 65 year old man from Rangwar Baramulla admitted to SKIMS on 13 July died in the afternoon at SKIMS. The patient was admitted with a heart attack.

A Ratsun Beerwah Budgam resident, male and 60 years old admitted to SKIMS on 12 July with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) also expired in the afternoon.

A female, also 60 years old, from Saidakadal Srinagar died in the evening at SKIMS. She was admitted on 14 July with respiratory failure and bilateral pneumonia. His COVID19 sample tested positive.

A 62 year old from Baramulla admitted to SMHS Hospital on 09 July died at SMHS Hospital. The patient was COVID19 positive and had pneumonia, Dr Nazir Chaudhary, medical superintendent of the hospital said.

A 65 year old male from Ganjipora Khrewan in Kulgam died today at GMC Anantnag, where he was admitted since 04 July. The patient had COPD and was COVID19 positive.

Late evening, a 60-year-old female from Buchpora died at SKIMS, while an 80-year-old male from Sopore died at SMHS Hospital.