The study aimed to investigate the district level variation of COVID-19 infection in Kashmir during December 2021 and January 2022 has found that the infection was co-related to population density and urban residence.
As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the study aimed to compare percent positivity of two districts of Kashmir during the 3rd COVID Wave conducted by doctors Jalila Qayoom, Omar Rashid, Talat Masoodi, Umar R. Khan and Syed Arshia from SKIMS Medical College & Hospital Bemina and department of Microbiology, SKIMS Medical College & Hospital Bemina in order to help government for developing policies and taking necessary interventions for future.
The study states that the total samples received in the month of December 2021 and January 2022 during 3d COVID-19 wave from 2 districts in SKIMS MCH, Bemina, Srinagar was 56279 Out of these samples, 34141 was from district Kupwara and 22138 was from district Srinagar The percent positivity for both months of December and January was more in district Srinagar i.e 11.4% and 3.8% respectively as compared to district Kupwara which was 8.7% and 2.9% respectively. From district Srinagar, the samples were received from 4 different regions i e, Batmaloo, Tourist reception centre (TRC), SR gunj and Khanyar. The percent positivity in the month of December 2021 for various regions from district Srinagar i.e, Batmaloo, TRC, SR Gunj and Khanyar was 4.1%, 5.2%. 2.9% and2.8% respectively.
“The percent positivity in the month of January 2022 for various regions from district Srinagar i.e. Batamaloo, TRC, SR Gunj and Khanyar was 12.6%, 21%, 7.9% and 8.0% respectively,” the study reads.
As per the study, the COVID-19 pandemic was traced across Kupwara and Srinagar districts. “It was seen that districts with higher population density showed increased COVID-19 risks. This pandemic have created a huge impact on health and economy globally, including India to formulate policies and interventions, a proper spatial distribution of the disease and its correlates is needed,” the study states. “We have seen that the COVID-19 infection ratio (IR) is significantly correlated to the population density and urban residence. The role of the government is difficult in controlling the pandemic in highly populated areas and also to maintain the social distancing in such areas. To control the spread of COVD-19 infection, we need to ensure the health and hygiene related facilities such as maintaining the quarantine centres, public health care institutions and Improving public distribution system.”
The study further reads that to classify patients with asymptomatic conditions, more tests are required. “There is a need to improve the healthcare facilities and human resources (doctors, nurses, frontline workers) there are few limitations in our study like the patients level of information (age, sex, comorbidities) are unavailable,” the study reads.
It further states that therefore, the district level determinants were analyzed instead of individual level. “Finally, we have correlated the percent positivity of the number of confirmed cases at the district level only which will help to frame the health policies,” it adds—(KNO)