10 Jul 2020  |   06:15am IST

First 9 days in July alone see a total of 836 COVID-19 cases

…That’s more than half of the total cases recorded from March to June, which was 1314; At the same time, in the last nine days, as many as 677 patients have recovered, whereas 1273 patients have recovered since the first case was recorded in Goa on March 25

SHWETA KAMAT

PANJIM: At a time when the Goa government is working hard to keep the balance between the COVID-19 spread and the commercial activities to boost economy; the corona figures, which are doubling at a fast pace, is definitely something to worry about. 

Till June 30, the State had a total of 1314 confirmed cases, which went up to 2151 cases by July 9, which is significant jump of over 60 per cent in just nine days.

For perspective, the first nine days of the month of July itself, recorded a whopping number of 836 COVID-19 positive cases, which is more than half of the total number of cases Goa had recorded from March to June. Simply put, half of the total cases recorded from March 25 till June 30, ie 1314 amounts to 657; which is 179 less than the total cases from June 1 to June 9, ie 836.  

A detailed analysis of the data, released by Directorate of Health Services (DHS), reveals that the coastal State, which was reporting, on an average, 35 COVID positive cases daily in June, has touched 92.8 cases a day on an average in July, which is comparatively much higher than the pre-July daily average figures. 

The State had recorded its first three COVID positive cases on March 25; while no new cases were reported between April 3 and May 12. During this period, Goa, even became the first State to be declared Corona Free.

The State’s COVID graph started rising from May 13, following partial resumption of passenger train service. However, the real surge in positive cases began from June 1, when the State recorded its first local case in Mangor Hill in Vasco. The month saw almost 1000 per cent rise in the cases.

As warned by the scientist for India, the situation worsened for Goa in July, alike other States of the Country. The month has recorded a largest single-day spike, almost every alternate day. 

For instance, July 8, saw the biggest single-day spike in COVID cases with State reporting 136 new patients. The earlier big jump was on July 4, which reported 108 positive cases. However, on July 9, Goa reported 112 cases, the second highest jump.  With 95 cases, July 2, was the fourth highest.

From being a ‘Green Zone’, the State, with a population of 16 lakh, has two containment zones – Mangor Hill in Vasco and Guddemal in Sattari, and  micro-containment zones – Baina and Sada in Vasco; Xerent and Indiranagar in Chimbel; Bhandarwada and Desai Nagar in Sanquelim; and Moti Dongor in Margao. 

Almost 25 Assembly constituencies, out of 40, have reported COVID cases.  

At the same time, the State’s recovery rate is around 60 per cent. In the last nine days, as many as 677 patients have recovered. The total number of patients who have recovered from March 25 till July 9 is 1273.

Finally, it is to be noted that the State’s active case tally stands at 869 as on July 9.