Coronavirus has not spared even Ladakh as three positive cases have been confirmed so far. Earlier, two persons who had returned after pilgrimage from Iran had tested positive in Leh, and are now undergoing treatment at SNM, Hospital, Leh. And on March 12, another positive case was confirmed that makes a total of three cases in Leh, Ladakh. 

As preventive measures, the UT Ladakh Administration has ordered closure of all primary schools, colleges and Ladakh University till March 31. The government has also strongly advised the people to avoid mass gatherings. In view of the prevailing situation, all the Inner line permit (ILPs) were withdrawn on March 14.

Strict screening is being carried out at all the entry points in both the districts of UT Ladakh which includes KBR Airport, Kurbathang, Airport Kargil and Thoise airport Nubra. Health personnel are keeping a strict vigil at these entry points in both the districts. 

Rigzin Samphel , Commissioner Secretary says: "Earlier we were checking only the foreign-returned. Now we are conducting 100 percent screening at the airport where we are taking help from the army. A team of army doctors are also deployed at the airport. There are two sources where people are coming, one is in civil flights and another is army flights. In army flights, people from Kargil are coming in bulk. We have asked for busses from Kargil along with officials and police team and we are ensuring that they go back directly from the airport to Kargil.”

Strategies: How Ladakh is coping up with COVID-19

Health Ministry sends a team of doctors to see preparedness for Coronavirus in Ladakh on March 6. The team comprises Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director/Professor&Head, Department of Community Medicine; Dr. Suneet Kaur, Assistant Director and Dr. Mahesh Waghmare, Deputy Director, National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi.

Dr. Jugal Kishore said, "We have come to see whether UT Ladakh is prepared or not. So, we have already seen the airport and also discussed the preparedness. Whatever support is required from the ministry, we are already committed."

Earlier, the UT Ladakh Administration was lacking in equipment like Personal Protective equipment (PPE), N95 masks and ventilators. But now they have received the equipment from the Health Ministry. 

Rigzin Samphel , Commissioner Secretary, says: “We have written to the ministry about the shortage and we have received around 1000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gowns, 7000 N95 mask and also 17 ventilators from AIIMS. Earlier, we had kept two ventilators at SNM Hospital, Leh, specially for positive cases. We are sending half of them to Kargil.” He says that they have also converted the TB ward of SNM Hospital Leh to accommodate positive cases. 

Ladakh doesn’t have a BSL 3 laboratory and they send the samples to Delhi which takes one to two days to receive the report. Though, the issue has been taken up, it will take time to establish it. 

“It is very important to have such laboratory here in Ladakh. We have already taken up the issue with the government and they are planning to update the existing IDSP laboratory. As of now we are sending the samples to Delhi and we receive the reports within one or two days”, informed Rigzin Samphel. 

Challenges: 

The most challenging part that UT Ladakh Administration is facing is that they have shortage of doctors. The main burden is on the Health and police departments.

“The most challenging part is that we have a shortage of doctors but despite this they are showing an exemplary performance. The credit goes to the district hospital Kargil and SNM Hospital Leh. The main stress is on Heath Department and the police as we have deployed police at SNM hospital, Ladakh Heart Foundation and Chushot Gongma village.” 

Talking about the challenges, he further says: "People need to understand the gravity of the situation and do not take it lightly. If there are any symptoms, do not hide it, which is very important. Immediately they have to report it to IDSP lab. One of the main challenges is that we have a lot of private clinics here and people are going there. So we are requesting them to report such cases to us. We need people's cooperation and advise to avoid social gatherings.” 

“Another big challenge is that in another week or two there is a possibility of opening of the Zojilla road and a lot of people will be coming by road. We are also planning for a strategy to screen them properly,” he informed. 

Don’t spread misinformation: 

Regarding action on persons spreading rumours on social media, DC, Leh, says that an FIR against those who posted such content in the social media has already been registered and the district administration is strictly monitoring the group admins of all social media groups.

Stranded Pilgrims in Iran: 

Every year, a lot of people from Ladakh go to Iran on pilgrimage. Some are still stranded and some are evacuated. The exact total number of pilgrims from Ladakh cannot be told as data is not available. So far, 102 pilgrims from Ladakh are evacuated in two batches from Iran.

Rigzin Samphel informs that in Leh district, Chushot is the village from where most of the people went to Iran followed by Thiksay. And in Kargil district, from Sankoo, a lot of people went to Iran. So they are specially focusing on those villages.  

He further said that to review COVID 19 in Ladakh their officials went to Kargil on March 14.  They held meeting with the CMO, BMO and other officials. “The reason why we are focusing more on Kargil is that most of the pilgrims are from Kargil out of 130 pilgrims 100 are from Kargil,” he added. 
Talking about preventing the further spread of virus, he says: "We have given instructions to all the relatives of the Haj pilgrims not to receive them at the airport. We have identified all the relatives of the earlier two positive cases and tested them.”

Jamyang Tsering Namgyal , MP Ladakh has requested the stranded pilgrims in Iran to cooperate with the Embassy Authorities in Iran so that their early evacuation can be assured smoothly.

Chushot Gongma Village: 

Chushot village has a population of 3,000 and is the longest village in Ladakh. This village comes under Leh district and is 13 km from Leh city. This village is divided into three mohalla: Yokma, Shamma and Gongma. All the three positive cases were from Chushot Gongma.

“We have formed a committee of three members consisting of the Tehsildar, BMO and Police Incharge of that area. Further, we have created four sectors. In each sector, there will be one Asha, one ANM and one Anganwadi worker who will check the health condition of the people there. 

“Those who are in Home qurantine, everyday ASHA, ANM AND Anganwadi workers visit them and compile the report and send it to Block Medical Officer. Then the BMO further report it to the incharge of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and Chief Medical Officer. For 28 days, nobody will be allowed to go in and out of the village.” 

Administration providing essential commodities

District administration has deputed medical support in the village and is arranging for supply of essential commodities, LPG, banking support and other requirements of the villagers.  Regarding availability of essential services and supply of day-to-day commodities, the DC, Leh,  has assured to further improve all facilities like supply of essential commodities. He has also shared the helpline numbers regarding queries about COVID-19.

Coronavirus: Helpline established in both the District

Besides, two nodal officers, Tsering Dawa and Manzoor Mohd have been appointed in Jammu to help the people of Ladakh residing there.

Facility for Quarantine: 

Data regarding COVID -19 in Ladakh till march 16, 2020: 

So far, UT Ladakh Administration has sent 113 samples out of which three are positive and 30 are negative and the result of 100 samples are awaited.