30 more test positive for COVID in Goa

NT NETWORK Panaji

Stating that the maximum number of COVID-19 positive patients found in the Mangor Hill area of Vasco are in the 20-40 year age bracket and of asymptomatic category, health secretary Nila Mohanan on Monday informed that out of the 30 people found COVID-19 positive in Goa, during past 24 hours, as many as 28 are from the Mangor Hill area.

“During past 24 hours, we have found 30 new COVID-19 positive cases, with 28 identified in the Mangor Hill area including five health workers, besides a person who arrived from Gujarat in train and another passenger who arrived by road from Maharashtra,” she added, informing that two COVID-19 positive patients have been cured and discharged from the COVID-19 hospital in Margao.

The latest tally takes the total COVID-19 confirmed cases in Goa to 330, while the active COVID-19 cases in the state are 263. Furthermore, during the last 24 hours, in all 1,716 swab samples have been sent for testing, while altogether 2,056 tests have been done, with 961 reports awaited. Five persons have been placed in hospital isolation. 

Addressing a press conference in the city, the health secretary said that on Monday, five more health workers were found to be COVID-19 positive, taking the count of state health workers with corona transmission to 13.

“The health of all frontline workers is a matter of concern to us,” she added, informing that preventive measures are being taken for them including distributing hydroxychloroquine, a preventive medicine as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.

Speaking further, the health secretary said the primary health centre at Shiroda has started functioning as the COVID care centre for admitting the asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients. “A team is already placed at this centre as trained by the medical superintendent of Hospicio Hospital, Ira Almeida, and we have 13 COVID-19 positive

patients admitted at this centre,” she noted.

Secretary for information and publicity Sanjay Kumar stated that no train left Goa on Monday carrying migrant workers. “So far, 20,098 people have entered Goa since April 29, 2020, while 1.09 lakh people have left Goa,” he said.

Speaking further, Mohanan said the directorate of health services is alert and gearing up to counter all types of vector-borne diseases during this monsoon season. “We have started taking measures like fumigation of places, but that is not enough,” she admitted, observing that COVID-19 and vector-borne diseases could be a lethal combination.

Replying to a question, the health secretary said that there is no immediate plan to start a new COVID-19 hospital in Goa. “However, in terms of planning for the future and strategising, there are various options open,” she replied.

Answering another query, Mohanan said that whatever protocols the directorate of health services followed in the past, including health cards for the staff of hotels, restaurants and eateries would continue as well.