Coronavirus scare in Goa: 2 more quarantined

Panaji/Margao: A British woman and a man from Nepal, suspected to be suffering from coronavirus disease (COVID-19), have been quarantined in the special ward of the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) at Bambolim.

The patients showed symptoms of the virus after which they were immediately quarantined and subsequently their blood and throat swab samples were drawn and sent to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology for examination. “The woman was running fever. A rise in body temperature is one of the symptoms of COVID-19. Hence, we didn’t take any chance and immediately she was isolated in the special ward,” said a senior doctor speaking to this daily.

He said that the woman is reported to have travelled to Goa from the United Kingdom (UK), while the Nepal native arrived in Goa by train and is reported to have developed symptoms like cough and fever.

On Wednesday, two young travellers were quarantined in GMC. The reports of all the four patients are expected in a couple of days. With these two new cases on Thursday, the total number of suspected COVID-19 patients has risen to nine in Goa.

Previously, three persons and their two close contacts were quarantined after they showed symptoms of coronavirus infection. However, all the five cases tested negative for the virus.

Meanwhile, claiming that the help desk and the counter set up at the Dabolim airport to screen the arriving visitors are ‘unmanned’, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai asked the government to set ‘protocol’ to screen the visitors arriving in the state by domestic and international flights.

“The administration has put signboards but no official is found at the counter. I don’t blame the Health Minister, as he may not have any control at the airport. The government ought to set a protocol to screen the people who are visiting Goa,” he said addressing a press conference in Panaji.

Sardesai said that the screening facilities should also be set up where the flow of international tourists is more. He said the tourists visiting the casinos should also be screened for coronavirus.  

Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat said that people must take extreme precautions to control the spread of coronavirus. “It is definitely not the time for celebrations and hence I have decided not to celebrate my birthday this year. I appeal to all to take utmost precautions in view of the spread of coronavirus,” he said.