Margao: The spread of COVID-19 is continuing in the state with three staff members of the Margao-based COVID hospital – a doctor, nurse and a helper – now testing positive for the virus.

The staff members are currently admitted as patients in the hospital and being administered treatment.

COVID district coordinator Dr Ira Almeida told this daily about the new cases at the hospital. “Three different levels of the staff at the ESI Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19. They include a doctor, nurse and a helper,” she said. The ESI Hospital has been designated as a COVID hospital.

Dr Almeida said the staff members have developed a mild fever. She said they will initially be treated at the hospital after which they will be shifted to a COVID care centre. “They are showing mild fever, so they will be kept at the ESI Hospital now. When they improve, they will be shifted to the Margao Residency,” she said.

The Margao Residency has been identified and designated as a COVID care centre, specifically for the medical staffers, who test positive for the virus. Medical staff including doctors, paramedics, healthcare workers and support staff, who are asymptomatic are being accommodated at the Margao Residency with a self-monitoring system including a kit containing a thermometer, pulse oximeter and medication to keep a check on their vitals apart from a buddy system to talk to a colleague on the phone so as to boost their morale.

The Margao Residency can house 65 patients and also has a doctor posted at the facility in case of an emergency.