Ladakh continues to witness a rise in COVID-19 cases, with 1758 active cases in Leh district and 99 cases in Kargil (Data till April 26). The total number of fatalities in UT Ladakh has reached 138, including 94 in Leh district and 44 in Kargil district. 

The current COVID-19 situation in Leh is critical and strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols is needed.

With the beginning of the working season in the Ladakh region, the heavy influx of migrant labour has been one of the reasons for rising COVID cases. Students and locals arriving from other states have also tested positive. Fear and anxiety have gripped the people as they are afraid of the situation getting worse in the upcoming days due to the opening of the national highways. 

Sixty patients were admitted between April 4 to 26, out of which 21 patients were below 40 years of age, including a 16-year-old. Currently, 20 patients are in the ICU of SNM Hospital, out of which ten are critically ill (Data till April 26 at 4 pm). The rising number of COVID cases has put immense pressure on the health department. The hospital is in dire need of more human resources to combat the situation. The health workers engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic are working round the clock on a salary of Rs 15,000 per month. 

A staff working in ICU (name kept anonymous) said, “There are six of us taking care of around 30 patients for ten days round the clock in the ICU. We work for nearly 7-8 hours with the PPE kit on. Despite working hard in such hard times, our salary is just 15,000 per month, but that has also been pending for the last three-four months."

“We did not get time to meet our friends and family for ten days. We are kept in quarantine for five days after spending ten days with the Covid patients. Once we test negative, we are back on the field," she added. 

The medical staff has to carry the mega oxygen cylinders to the wards due to the absence of male orderlies in the SNM Hospital. Some medical staff said on the condition of anonymity that they had to call their relatives and friends to carry oxygen cylinder to medical wards due to a shortage of human resources. Some reportedly paid from their pocket to hire labour to transport the oxygen cylinders. 

Medical Superintendent, SNM Hospital, Dr. Norzin Angmo, refused to speak to the media, saying that she does not have the authority to speak. Hospital staff and doctors also refused to speak to the media, saying that there is strict instruction from higher authorities not to interact with the media.

Speaking to the media, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority, Leh, shared that the administration would soon resolve the human resource and pending salary issue. 

On April 27, CEC, Hill Council, Leh Advocate Tashi Gyalson, and District Magistrate, Leh took stock of the SNM hospital and assured to resolve all the issues.

Meanwhile, to facilitate the rising COVID positive patients, Ladakh Heart Foundation Hospital, with 40 beds, has been converted into a COVID-19 dedicated hospital. 

Despite the rising number and worrying situation, the Ladakh administration rules out the possibility of imposing a lockdown. District Magistrate Leh said, “A complete lockdown is not a solution. We will enforce necessary restrictions according to situations. The livelihood of people also has to be taken care of.” 

However, on April 26, Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority, Leh, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse ordered all the District and Subordinates office to work in staff strength of 50%. Dining places in hotels and restaurants would work with 50% capacity and have been encouraged to provide home delivery services and room services. Indoor games facilities, public libraries, and gymnasiums would remain close. The administration has also put restrictions on the number of people participating in social and religious gatherings. There would be a night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am, except for essential services and medical emergencies. Public/ private vehicles would ply at only 50 percent of their seating capacity. 

Amidst the second wave of Covid-19 wreaking havoc across India, an RT-PCR Negative report is a must to all passengers travelling to Ladakh. Though tourist and travellers undergo tests on arrivals, the situation is in a grim state. All the incoming passengers travelling without an RT-PCR report would be provided hotel accommodation by the administration till their COVID-19 negative test report is out the next day.

While testing and vaccination are in progress, the administration allowed various events and festivals to be held in March and April when the COVID cases are surging. The absence of media briefing in the alarming situation by the health department or UT administration is also becoming a rising concern.