Goa gears up to fight Coronavirus

Team Herald

PANJIM: The State government will set up a special isolation ward at Chicalim sub-district hospital to deal with suspected cases of Coronavirus, if any. A treatment ward will also be put in place at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC). 

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Monday held a video conference with officials of the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) and GMC, wherein guidelines were issued to the State regarding the deadly virus, originating from China. 

“A special isolation ward at Chicalim and treatment ward in GMC will be set up to deal with the suspected cases, if any,” sources said. GMC has issued a ‘call for vigilance’ regarding the virus, while urging people not to panic. 

Sources revealed that during the conference with the Union Minister, directions were issued to form a task force, comprising health officials, police, captain of ports, which will monitor and report to the government. The task force will work on guidelines laid down by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare.

The Ministry directed DHS to issue necessary health advisory to all the hospitals. “Also, village-wise awareness through health centres will be created making people aware about the virus, its symptoms and need for immediate treatment,” sources said. 

GMC Dean Dr S M Bandekar also held a review meeting to discuss various ways to control and prevent the spread of deadly virus. “We will be constantly checking on the health and well-being of our citizens and if any cases flare up, patients will be transferred to the Corona isolation ward for further treatment,” he said in a notice that has been issued. 

Additionally, the hospital pharmacy has been stocked up with the necessary materials. “It is our humble request to not create panic and look out for onset symptoms of the virus, which includes fever, cough and breathing difficulties,” the notice stated. 

More than two dozen people in China have died from the virus, while it has spread to some of its nearby countries too.