Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Mar 20: The Out Patient Department (OPD) of SMHS hospital was on Friday closed for general public to curtail spread of Coronavirus in Srinagar, where a woman was tested positive for the infection on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the patients and their attendants alleged that the hospital administration directed them to leave.
Official sources said that the OPD department, which attends to thousands of patients on daily basis, was closed for general public. However, they said emergency ward of the hospital was open for critical cases.
They said a different coloured ticket has been designated for people, who show coronavirus-like symptoms.
The counter, which usually has long queues of people awaiting their turn to get tickets for OPD department, was deserted. Similar view could be seen in the corridors of OPD building, which otherwise is flooded with patients and their attendants.
The patients in the In Patient Department (IPD) were seen leaving the hospital in large numbers. ''We were asked by the administration to leave the hospital, despite our patient recovering from an operation,'' an attendant told.
Similar, reason was given by other patients, who were leaving the hospital.
Curfew-like restrictions remained imposed for the second successive day on Friday to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the summer capital, Srinagar, which witnessed its first positive case on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary said that strict restrictions would be imposed on Friday on public gatherings, assembly and movement in Srinagar. ''No public movement or activity will be allowed anywhere in the district. Only government officials with valid IDs will be allowed to move,'' he said.
He said concerned agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of restrictions across the district. ''Strict action will be taken against violators of the order. Government officials have been asked to ensure no one is found ferried in their vehicles,'' he added. |
