As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in some states of the country, 900 travellers at the Srinagar Airport tested positive for the virus in March, making it the month with the highest reported cases since the pandemic began last year.
Official figures reveal that March witnessed the highest number of cases recorded in a single month ever since air traffic was resumed in May last year after a hiatus of three months owing to Covid-19.
The second-highest number of positive cases at the airport was reported in September last year with 793 passengers having tested positive.
However, officials say the increase in the number of cases is due to the increase in passenger arrivals. “In September last year we had 3000-4000 total passenger footfall but right now we witness almost 8000-9000 passengers,” they said.
The preventive measures against Covid-19 have been strengthened at the airport in the wake of the rising cases outside J&K. No inbound traveller is allowed to leave the airport until their test report is received.
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Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbag Singh and his wife have tested positive for Covid-19. “After symptoms, his test came positive,” officials said adding that he is quarantined and is being looked after by doctors.
They said that officials at police headquarters will undergo tests in the coming days. “But so far no official at headquarters has shown any symptom,” officials said.