CM admits it’s community transmission

NT NETWORK

Panaji

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has finally admitted that the spread of COVID-19 cases across Goa is nothing but community transmission.

All this while, the authorities were in denial that the spread of the virus in the state was community transmission. After the outbreak of the disease in the state, with 19 positive cases detected at Mangor Hill in Vasco, the government had referred to it as a local transmission.

Responding to the media on Friday during a web press conference, the Chief Minister said that looking at the cases found in different parts of Goa, we now cannot call it local transmission, but it is community transmission, as infection of the virus is transmitting from one person to another.

Reiterating that Goa is the only state ensuring testing for COVID-19 at all entry points and 100 per cent home quarantine of those entering Goa from other states and countries, Sawant said the government is following strict implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) besides enforcing social distancing norms and wearing of mask.

He said the SOPs for the people coming down to Goa by rail, sea or air routes have remained the same, adding that home-quarantined people are being monitored by the health and other officers on a regular basis. He said the authorities are conducting over 100 tests in the surrounding areas where positive cases are detected.

“People must remain alert and take all precautions by maintaining social distancing, wearing mask and using sanitiser as positive cases have spread to all talukas of the state,” he said maintaining that the current situation can be kept under control if people cooperate with the authorities.

Sawant said all the patients admitted in COVID hospital are stable. “Me and both the Collectors are monitoring all the COVID care centres on a day-to-day basis,” he said.