Team Herald
PANJIM: The State Executive Committee (SEC) confirmed that there is no community transmission of COVID-19 in Goa till date.
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The SEC meeting was held in the presence of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and other top officials of various departments.
Secretary, Health Nila Mohanan IAS, informed that no COVID–19 suspected case sample is pending for testing at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.
Also, no new COVID-19 case has been detected after April 3, 2020. Till date, Goa has seven positive cases of COVID 19; one patient has recovered and has been shifted to a quarantine facility outside COVID Hospital. The SEC noted with caution that Goa had not yet faced any community transmission.
Mohanan said the State has received a proposal for getting e-fabricated structure for throat swab collection under CSR. One such structure has been set up at Hospicio Hospital, Margao and it is planned to have similar structures at other government hospitals in the State.
This facility provides requisite safety to the health workers while taking throat swab samples. The SEC decided that these structures should be placed even if there is cost involved for its procurement.
She also informed that NIV has recently supplied 2,000 regent kits and 200 RNA extraction kits instead of 2,000 RNA extraction Kits as requested. The ICMR has promised to provide the additional requirement as soon as possible.
The GMC has also started testing for SARI-related ailments. Government of India has issued guidelines on going for detailed testing of all SARI patients and rapid testing for people with ILI symptoms. The survey data will be used to follow the above instructions from the Government of India.
The SEC reviewed the progress on the manufacturing of masks. Secretary WCD informed that he has assessed the capacity of the six agencies (handicrafts and other SHGs) currently undertaking the production of masks.
Their current capacity is around 20,000 per day with a cost of around Rs 25 per mask for reusable (washable) masks with cloth and thread to be provided to them.
Police authorities informed that they have issued necessary directions to check the goods train for the possibility of people using it for moving in/out of Goa.
The Director of Panchayats informed that 172 panchayats out of 191 have started pre-monsoon activities. This work has also started in all 14 municipalities. The SEC noted that the State must be well prepared to handle monsoon.
The SEC noted that the reports received through the media need to be verified for a resolution. The Secretary also informed that the reported shortage of atta is mostly limited to branded atta in small packs. However, the official informed that meetings were held with stakeholders to resolve these concerns.
All the camps are running normal and regular health checkups are carried out to attend to any health-related issue on a timely basis.
The Nodal Officer for quarantine facilities informed that he visited both the quarantine facilities and currently there are five inmates in Margao Residency and 3 in Old Goa Residency. All inmates are reported to be normal. One person has been kept at Candolim Residency.
The nodal officer for foreigners informed the SEC that till date a total of 3614 foreigners have left in 20 flights. He also informed that the State has facilitated the exit of citizens from 35 countries. He said foreign missions and embassies have sent messages thanking the State.
The police authorities informed that the staff of police stations is in touch with the 700-odd registered senior citizens to inquire about their welfare and help them meet their requirements, if any. The field officers share pictures taken with senior citizens for monitoring at HQ level. Principal Chief Engineer (PWD) informed that as directed earlier, the work to erect tents has started for the 8 monitoring posts on various State borders. The structures would be ready by Sunday.
The official reported that water supply is normal. One large Hydraulic pump is likely to be repaired soon.
The SEC has conveyed to all those concerned that as per MHA orders, any person violating these containment measures or not complying with the above directions, will be liable for prosecution as per the provision of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 besides legal action u/s 188 of the IPC.
