THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
MARCOS GONSALVES
MARGAO: The Urban Health Centre, Margao reported 2,837 active cases on May 11 and the number is increasing every day. The medical fraternity blames no check on the migrants, festivals and ceremonies, and overall major violations of COVID norms for it.
Since the last several days, the UHC of Margao has topped the list of Covid cases in Goa, and there is no positive sign of dropping the cases. As reported, there were 2124 active cases on May 1, and as of May 11, nearly 500 more cases have been added to the tally.
Margao UHC has jurisdiction of nearly one lakh population. This apparently amplified by hundreds of migrant workers working in different companies, establishments, plus a large number of labour class people have rented themselves in the jurisdiction of UHC.
“There is no watch of concerned authorities on these people with regard to the spread of Coronavirus,” said Dr Anju Kharangate, Health Officer of UHC.
She has stated that the number of COVID positive patients is increasing on daily basis, which is an alarming figure and matter of concern. When Herald tried to find the reasons for an increase in the case at UHC Dr Kharangate said the virus has entered Margao in different ways and one of the reasons is that gross violation of COVID norms.
"People are not following the norms of Covid. Despite curfew, people are witnessed violating the Covid protocols in Margao. There is no watch on people entering the city. Hundreds of migrants are entering here through Margao railway station and there is no watch. To date, people are entering freely by railways and they are roaming in the city. There is still no testing centre at railway station", she said.
She also informed that there are lots of migrants who are tested positive and whose number is being added to the tally.
According to the Health Officer, there are hundreds of migrants working in the Industrial Estate at Verna and other places and they are residing in rented rooms and flats under the jurisdiction of UHC, Margao but there is no check on them.
"We have been informed that those migrant people are living in the rented rooms in groups of five or more", she claimed.
"Under the jurisdiction of Margao UHC, there are lots of hospitals and guest houses. Our jurisdiction is larger than Panjim", she added.
It is only hoped that the existing curfew and stringent safety measures will stall this huge COVID spike which is adding to the critical case count of Goa as a whole.
