Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa became the first State in the country to have zero number of active COVID-19 patients, with the last of the seven patients, who tested positive for Coronavirus, now being declared recovered. Also, the State has not reported any new positive case since April 3.
The State had a total of seven patients who tested positive for coronavirus but the figure steadily kept reducing with those tested positive begin to recover and being discharged. The seventh patient, is now been placed under 14-day government quarantined facility.
Addressing media persons on Sunday, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that Goa is the first State in the country to have no active COVID-19 cases as on today. He said that all the seven patients who were tested positive for the infection have been tested as negative.
Sawant said that out of seven patients, six had arrived in the state from abroad, while one was a brother of a positive patient. He said that the extended ‘Janta Curfew’ from March 22 to March 24, helped the government to create awareness amongst the people against coronavirus.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will be writing to Centre informing that all the cases have been treated, with no fresh cases reported after April 3.
The South Goa district is already been categorized under ‘Green Zone’ by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare, while North Goa was considered as ‘Red’. “It is for the centre to declare Goa as green zone. We will be informing them about the realities,” he said.
Sawant said that till date total 800 tests for infection were done, of which seven were reported positive.
Sawant hailed the dedication and team work of doctors, staff of COVID hospital and Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) under leadership of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane for the success.
Sawant said that though the number of positive cases have gone down to zero, the citizen need not come out on the streets as the lockdown measures will remain in force till May 3.
“The restrictions during the lockdown period will continue. We will go as per the central government’s guidelines,” he said urging people to cooperate and support the government to ensure that no new positive cases are reported in the State.
Sawant said that State borders will continue to remain sealed and measures like social distancing, wearing of mask, will have to be followed. He said that with rising number of positive cases in the neighbouring Belgaum district, the Keri and Anmod checkpost are put on high alert with more strict vigil.
With government offices resuming from Monday, employees will be screened with thermal guns, before entering the office, Sawant said informing about procurement of 1000 guns.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said “We are proud to announce that all the patients that were reported positive in the state of Goa have recovered from the COVID-19. The active number of cases in Goa now stands at zero.”
“While we currently do not have any active case in the state, it is our responsibility to keep in mind the importance of lockdown, maintain social distance increase the scope of testing and adhere to norms and guidelines issued by both central and state government,” he said.
“My deepest gratitude to our warriors, the excellent team of doctors headed by Dr Edwin at ESI hospital for working tirelessly to counter the menace of this deadly virus. Thankful to Chief minister Pramod Sawant, Chief Secretary Parimal Rai and Health Secretary Neela Mohanan for their continued support.”
