Goa: 50 more die of Covid, positivity rate 46%

PANAJI: Goa recorded 2,804 new Covid-19 infections on Monday, which took the state’s active tally past the 32,000-mark. Also, the day saw 50 persons succumb to the virus, with the death toll hitting 1,730. Sundays and Mondays usually see a slight dip in numbers, and the state’s recovery rate, too is now 46% after breaching the 50%-barrier last week, by far the highest in the country.
“We will have to wait and watch to see how things pan our over the next two weeks,” said a health official. “It is too early to rejoice with the drop in cases.” Over the past couple of days, the number of tests done has been substantially less than the preceding days, and he was quick to point this out too.
None of the 50 who died on Monday were fully vaccinated, and only three had received the first dose. The youngest were a 34-year-old man with chronic kidney disease and a 39-year-old with diabetes.
28 of the day’s mortalities were reported at Goa Medical College (GMC), 15 at South Goa district hospital, and three persons were brought dead to hospital. Nine died within 24 hours of admission.
Twelve of the 50 didn’t have any comorbidities, and 16 were under 60 years of age.
“People continue to report late and with severe complications,” said Dr Anil Mehndiratta, a chest specialist who has been offering his services at Chicalim hospital as an expert. “With the setting up of a small unit such as the facility in Chicalim hospital and at other places, it will help reduce mortalities to some extent, but the impact will be seen eight to ten days later.” The Chicalim hospital is the latest additon as a step-up facility for admission of Covid patients.
“Heath officers and doctors have done a fantastic job at Chicalim hospital. I only streamlined the management. Such efforts will make a difference to the pandemic situation in the state,” said Mehndiratta.