SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: In a sudden surge, the State has been recording a sustained increase in COVID-19 cases in the last five days posing a serious question on whether Goa is marching towards a second wave.
The fear is also valid as both neighbouring States, primarily Maharashtra, is recording over 9,000 daily cases.
Goa, where daily cases had fallen below 30, registered single-day spike of 100 cases on Friday. A total of 309 cases from February 22 to 26 gives rise to the question of whether Goa needs to initiate stricter regulations.
Referring to the increase, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant tweeted saying, “The rising COVID19 cases are a cause of concern. Our government is monitoring the situation closely. Though the situation in Goa is under control, the fight against pandemic is not over. I appeal to the people to stay alert to the situation and avoid mass gatherings, follow all norms such as social distancing, wearing masks and using sanitizers. Also requesting citizens to not fall prey to rumours of lockdown.”
As per daily COVID-19 bulletin released by the Directorate of Health Services, the State recorded 29 COVID-19 patients on Monday that surged to 57 on Tuesday with a marginal drop to 52 cases, on Wednesday. The number of cases spiked to 71 and 100 on Thursday and Friday respectively.
On the other hand, the recovery rate has not been satisfactory even as the government figures, released on Friday shows 97.48 per cent rate of recovery. The daily recoveries have in fact dropped from 53 on Monday to 41, on Friday.
The State capital Panjim had 45 active cases on Friday as against 39 on the previous day while the commercial capital Margao also saw a surge from 56 active cases on Thursday to 69 on Friday.
Goa Medical College and Hospital Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar had recently opined that Goa could demand latest RT PCR reports from passengers travelling from Maharashtra to help in curb in rising cases.
At the same time he had said that the government is fully equipped to combat the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic; however there was need to be stringent with the Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs).
Herald also spoke to the trade and tourism body that suggested strict implementation of health protocols.
Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Nilesh Shah lamented that not just tourists, many Goans have taken the face mask rule leniently.
“Face masks should be worn compulsorily and those violating should be fined irrespective if they are locals or tourists. Use of hand sanitiser and maintaining social distancing should be followed. Although vaccination has started, another around 18 months precautions should be taken,” he said.
