MAPUSA: Former Revenue Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought his intervention to help control the rising covid-19 cases in Goa.

In the letter, Khaunte said, “From being the first corona-free state, Goa has come to a stage with over 200 active COVID-19 cases and reality of community transmission. These figures are catastrophic for the smallest state of India which has limited medical and related infrastructure.”

Khaunte called for continuing the total lockdown and sealing of borders with Maharashtra, which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in India.

The MLA asked for urgent supply of testing kits and related equipment to the small, but dedicated medical fraternity, who have been already stretched to their limits.

The Independent legislator demanded the deployment of Central Security Forces in Vasco, to ensure total containment and protection of the Defence Airport and naval installations in the vicinity.

He said there should be standby contingent of Army Medical Corps to assist the medical fraternity.

With regards to isolation coaches, Khaunte stressed the need to allocate isolation coaches from Railways to meet the multiplying requirements of beds in hospitals, which are very limited in the State.

He demanded that stranded Goans and seafarers be brought back by arranging special flights under “Vande Bharat” mission.