Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole. 

Kupwara, May 12: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole Wednesday said that there won’t be any relaxation on Eid-ul-Fitr eve in Kashmir given the steep rise in COVID-19 infection cases while the overall situation is under control in the Valley. He was quick to add that 30-40 per cent of surplus oxygen was available in Kashmir as of now.

Pole was on a visit to the border district of Kupwara along with other administrative officials to review COVID preparations put in place by the health authorities and district administration.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the visit, Divisional Commissioner said that the overall situation in Kashmir is under control while the preventive restrictions put in place up to May 17th will remain in place.

“There won’t be any sort of relaxation on Eid eve in Kashmir,” he said, adding that Covid 19 does stop on any special occasion.

He said that around 175 oxygen-supported beds are available in Kupwara and a plant of 1000 LPM has been made functional at SDH while the occupancy of beds is below 40%. “The Covid situation, however, is good and the cases have started to decline,” Pole said.

He said: “We hope that the COVID ends soon but there won’t be any laxity from the administration side and preparations are in full swing to contain the spread,” he said.

About the situation in Kashmir valley, the Divisional Commissioner said that the overall situation is definitely under control.

“The cases will increase in the coming days in Kashmir and that shouldn’t be a source of panic for people,” he said. The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir urged the people to stay away from any such information that leads to health issues mainly mental problems saying that people must stick to things that don’t impact stability.

Asked about the oxygen refilling issue faced in Kupwara, he said that the 1000 LPM oxygen plant is already functional here and the cylinders won’t be of that use besides concentrators have been made available.

Pole said that oxygen is being monitored scientifically outside the states like Maharashtra. “Doctors have conducted the oxygen audit in J&K and stated that around 40% of the oxygen is surplus and there is no question of shortage at any point,” he said.

He assured that there is no shortage of vaccines for people aged above 45-years across the valley and the drive is being carried out as per the schedule while the registrations are underway for individuals above 18 years.

The Divisional Commissioner said that that the COVID-19 situation has not worsened that much in the northern belt of Kashmir and the administration is ensuing preparation while people must cooperate with the government to fight this deadly pandemic and adhere to precautionary measures and not come out unnecessarily.