PANJIM: Despite the huge spike in cases at Mangor Hill, Vasco, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant reiterated that there was no community transmission in Goa yet and it was a stage of local transmission. Sawant added that there was more to the story as the family, which first tested positive for COVID-19 in Mangor, is hiding facts.

“Someone from the family must have come in or gone outside the State. Corona is not going to come on its own to the area. The family is hiding facts. If they reveal the facts, we will be able to trace the contacts and quarantine them,” he said.

The Chief Minister confirmed that there were 40-odd cases in Mangor Hill. “This is not community transmission but local transmission as close contacts of the family have tested negative. We have taken 200-plus samples yesterday and again today the swab collection is continuing. We will test each and every person in the area,” he said.

He said every person from Mangor Hill must voluntarily get tested.

Sawant ruled out a complete lockdown in Vasco saying there is no need of it as of now. He said that all precautions are being taken to seal Mangor Hill. “There is no case outside containment zone as of now, so we feel there is no need to lockdown Vasco,” he said.

He, however, said anyone who feels ill must quickly approach Chicalim hospital for a free test.

“The government is taking care of people’s requirements. Grocery items will be provided in containment zone through a helpline number. People must take extra caution as there can be quick spread of COVID-19 in the rains now,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that of the 40-odd patients, only two to three are symptomatic. “Rest all are asymptomatic. All have been shifted to the COVID hospital,” he said.

On Monday and Tuesday, eight persons, including six family members and two of their neighbours, had tested positive for COVID.

The Chief Minister urged doctors to refrain from treating persons with COVID symptoms and instead divert them to the government hospital.