Cavelossim villagers a worried lot as 2 test positive

Margao: Villagers from the coastal village of Cavelossim are a worried lot after two residents were found to be COVID-19 positive on Monday, with the infection being linked to Ambelim cases.

The local sub health centre, along with the panchayat, has begun contact tracing as well as sanitisation of areas visited by the two residents.

Two residents of Cavelossim tested positive for the deadly virus on Monday after coming in contact with a person who had tested positive in Ambelim. Swinging into action immediately, the panchayat began sanitisation of the areas around the patients’ homes as well as areas frequently visited by them including the local tea stall, the church road lane and a wine store in the village.

Along with the local sub health centre, the panchayat also created a list of around 30 names and contacted them to begin the process of contact tracing. Those showing symptoms will be asked to get tested at the South Goa District Hospital, while the remaining will be taken to the Chinchinim primary health centre to collect their swab samples on Wednesday. The contacts have been advised to stay home till their test reports are received.

Cavelossim sarpanch Dionizio Dias said all the necessary precautionary measures have been taken. “We have requested people in the village not to keep non-essential services open including places like kiosks and tea stalls. The owners of the stalls frequently visited by the persons who have tested positive have also been asked to keep their establishments closed for the moment. We don’t want to go in for a lockdown but we are aiming to minimise contact even at the panchayat office. Sanitisation drives including at the panchayat office and the church junction have also been taken up,” said Dias.

Meanwhile, the rest of the village was also showing signs of worry, as many shops and restaurants remained closed. The usually busy beach road also wore a deserted look. Essential services like shops selling fruits, vegetables, banks and a few stores were, however, open for business. The panchayat office too was open; however, official work was undertaken by limiting the entry to outsiders and speaking to visitors through windows.

The nearby village of Carmona also swung into action on Tuesday following the news of COVID positive cases in Cavelossim. The village panchayat took up a sanitisation drive and called for an emergency meeting of the panch members.

Carmona sarpanch Allwyn Jorge, speaking to this daily said, “All public places including the market area, panchayat office, health centre, church premises and the high school were sanitised by the fire brigade upon a request made. We, panchayat members, have also called for a meeting to decide on preventive action to be initiated due to the increasing number of cases.”