PANJIM: On March 29, there were 128 new cases from 1475 samples tested marking a positivity rate of 8.79. Two deaths were reported as well. In the last seven days alone, Goa has had 1004 positive cases and 10 cases since last Monday. Over the last 15 days, i.e. from March 15 to March 29, Goa has registered new 1795 positive cases and 22 deaths. Goa crossed the three digit mark (100 cases and above) eight days during these 15-day period. In fact, Goa has seen 100 plus cases for the last seven consecutive days with the State reporting in the last week, i.e. since last Monday. There have been only 3 times in the last 15 days when no deaths were reported.
Incidentally, the number of active cases on March 15 was at 775 cases and total deaths were 807. 15 days later on March 29, the number of active cases is 1429 and the total number of deaths is 828.
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It may be recalled that the alarm bells first began to ring on February 26, when Goa surpassed the 100-mark for the first time in over three weeks at that period with three deaths being reported that day. Before this, there was a sense of relaxation, especially with the general public as the daily number of cases and deaths had gone down too. Nearly three weeks later on March 16, when Goa reported 4 deaths and 96 cases, the sense of anxiety had risen. Opposition MLAs cited this figure when they met for the Business Advisory Committee of the Goa Legislative Assembly but the government insisted that they had things under control. Six days later, on March 22, the Health Minister announced that there would be a testing facility at the Goa Airport for all incoming visitors while acknowledging that visitors travelling via road and rail were entering unchecked for COVID symptoms.
