Corona threat looms over Goa

Panaji: Despite the fact that the Union Health Ministry has declared both districts in Goa as ‘green zones’, with the influx of people particularly from the neighbouring states, the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat continues in Goa.

Hundreds of people are entering the state and the number is only going to increase with each day, as a result of which, the risk looms and there is a high possibility that the state may see further positive cases of the dreaded virus.

“Yes, we can say Goa is safe…but definitely not 100 per cent. We cannot afford to take things lightly at least till all the hotspots or red zones in Karnataka and Maharashtra turn green,” state epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar said speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’.

“The fight against COVID-19 is going to be a long battle. Goa is free of COVID-19 cases and we have entered a phase where surveillance is going to be the key to prevent the spread of the disease in Goa, especially when people start coming to Goa in large numbers by special trains or flights,” he said. He further said that for any pandemic the threat continues till the situation improves globally.

The state epidemiologist said the health department, with the help of district administration and state police, is mandatorily testing all the people who are entering with a travel permit. He, however, expressed grave concern over the reports of people entering Goa illegally from other states through shorter routes and internal roads.

“It is difficult to trace each and every person entering illegally and get them tested for COVID-19. People should act responsibly and know that certain measures and restrictions are imposed by the government for their own good and for their loved ones,” he said.

Dr Betodkar said people entering the state are now directly taken to concerned district hospitals where their throat swab samples are drawn for examination and subsequently they are sent to the institutional quarantine centre.

He further said if the samples test negative then they are relieved from the institutional quarantine centre on the same day and placed under home quarantine for 14 consecutive days.

“If anyone is found violating home quarantine guidelines and if they are seen moving out of their house then the person will be placed under institutional quarantine by the district administration for which possibly they will have to pay,” Dr Betodkar said.