Margao: The Salcete villages of Raia and Maina-Curtorim recorded first two COVID positive cases, creating panic among the people of the villages.
A middle-aged man from Quevon, Raia, who tested positive for the virus, was moved to the COVID care centre at Shiroda   on Sunday night.
Sources said that the man had visited his daughter in Quepem four days ago. A migrant family was staying in his rented room at Raia.  
“We are verifying the source of infection. We have asked a few people to stay at home.  A list has been prepared of those who are ready to undergo the COVID test,” said Dr Vinesh Gaonkar of the Loutolim health centre.
Travel history of the person has been gathered and based on it more people have been advised to take precautions, sarpanch Emma Gomes said.
Some 10 people underwent the COVID test.
Dr Govekar briefed the sarpanch and the panchayat secretary on the matter.
Sources said the man did not mingle much with the villagers, and has been living alone.  
However, the man testing positive for the virus sent shockwaves in the village and people kept off from the marketplace.
The shopkeepers at the Raia market have been asked to strictly maintain the social distancing norm.
Curtorim legislator Alex Reginaldo Lourenco blamed the government for the virus spreading to the villages.
Maina Curtorim saw the  first COVID  19 positive  case  on  Monday as  a  driver of  a Raia businessman  tested positive for the COVID-19  pandemic. The man, who has been living in a rented room at Maina Curtorim, was moved to the COVID care centre.
The village recording the first COVID positive case created panic among the villagers, who pushed for a lockdown at Maina Curtorim in an attempt to check the spread of the virus.
However, the Curtorim panchayat has refused to impose the lockdown.
Curtorim sarpanch Rui Menezes said that a meeting was held in the panchayat office on Monday.
“I told the members that there could be a lockdown if the village sees at least four-five COVID positive cases. There can’t be a lockdown for a single case…,” he argued.
The Raia businessman has been asked to get his family members tested for the deadly virus.