Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a spark spike in pregnant women testing positive for COVID-19, with 70 such cases in just the first four days of June. The total number of pregnant women infected as on Friday is 181. Experts suggest that the growing numbers are a stark indicator of the community spread of the disease in pockets of Kashmir, just days ahead of the scheduled re-opening of many sectors.
COVID-19 | Interactive map of confirmed coronavirus cases in India
Indicating a rising trend, June 1 saw 10 pregnant women testing positive, June 2 recorded 14, June 3 at least 26 and June 4 saw another 20 cases, according to official figures.
The J&K administration has made it mandatory to test pregnant women ahead of delivery to ensure segregation.
“Pregnant women have been more susceptible to infections. Besides, only travellers and pregnant women are being tested constantly, with no testing for the general population. The pregnant women do represent the general population, and a marker