COVID scare in Zuarinagar

Vasco: The spread of COVID-19 infection has now reached Birla and Zuarinagar areas in Mormugao taluka with a total of 12 positive cases detected in these areas together on Wednesday and Thursday. Zuarinagar is a major slum area in the state.

Speaking to this daily, Dr Soccoro Quadros, who is the health officer at the Cortalim primary health centre and looking after the slum dwelling at Birla and Zuarinagar, said a health team has been deployed in the slum area to collect throat swabs of the residents.

It is learnt that apart from the slum area, labourers working at a plant at Zuarinagar have also tested positive for the virus. These labourers are residents of Zuarinagar and other neighbouring areas. Dr Quadros said five of the 12 positive cases are related to the labourers with one of them linked to Mangor Hill. Five other positive cases are attached to the electricity department sub-station at Birla with one of them being a driver. These employees reside at Birla, Sindolim, Velsao, Vasco and Moti-Dongor. The remaining two cases are reported from Birla Zuarinagar, Dr Quadros said.

The health authorities Thursday collected throat swabs of 37 persons who were in close contact with the infected persons. According to information from a contractor, who has his labour providing continued from P1

services in the Zuarinagar plant, “One of the labourers has link to Mangor Hill containment zone. I have taken such labourers, who have developed possible symptoms of the virus, to the Sub-district Hospital for their test. Their reports are awaited.”

The government agencies are keeping a close watch in other areas like Birla and Zorint, which are attached to Zuarinagar. The population of all these areas is approximately around 20,000.

When contacted, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha said, “It is an alarming situation for the people residing in and around Birla, Zuarinagar and Zorint. I have already informed the health officer of Cortalim primary health centre and we are lucky to have Dr Quadros, who is always on his toes, undertaking checking of the members of the families who have tested positive for the virus. The health authorities have commenced testing in all neighbouring areas where positive cases have been reported.” She asked the people of Zuarinagar to be cautious and maintain social distancing adding that there are plans to declare Zuarinagar as a containment zone.

“I will have a discussion with the directorate of health services prior to the declaration of Zuarinagar as a containment zone. Perhaps Zuarinagar could be the second containment zone in Mormugao taluka. I will also have a discussion with the health officer in order to take updates on the cases, as there is a risk of the infection spreading due to the densely populated area. I will direct the health authorities to keep a watch on the rise in the number of cases and accordingly to decide what will be the next step to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the slum area,” said Saldanha.