Srinagar, Jul 31 (IANS): Seven COVID-19 patients died on Friday in J&K raising the number of people killed by the dreaded virus in the Union territory to 372.

17 patients succumbed on Thursday in the highest single-day death spike in J&K.

Doctors said 7 patients died in different hospitals of J&K Friday. The victims include a middle rung police officer belonging to Pulwama district.

So far, 372 people have died due to coronavirus in the union territory.

Alarmed by the increasing number of people falling prey to the ongoing pandemic, authorities in Badgam and Pulwama districts have re-imposed lockdown.

19,869 people have been infected so far while 11,842 have recovered completely.

People thronging markets on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha is becoming a major concern for the authorities in Kashmir division.

Many shoppers are moving around without face masks and in total disregard of social distancing norms.

"Police is trying to enforce the pandemic protocol, but doing so when large numbers of local are out to buy essentials for the Eid festival is a tough call", said a senior police officer.