CANACONA: Five passengers from amongst 16 from Canacona who arrived in Goa from the UK this week have tested positive for Covid-19, said Dr Joe Tavares Health officer at Canacona Health Centre (CHC) on Friday, amid concerns over detection of a new coronavirus variant in Britain.
Sixteen passengers had arrived by the same flight and on being subjected to the Covid-19 tests two were found to be positive at Vasco airport.
“A total of 12 samples were collected by CHC staff on Thursday out of which 3 were found to be Covid-19 positive,” Dr Tavares said.
“We are awaiting results of samples of the other two passengers which we collected on Friday, the results will come tomorrow,” Dr Tavares added.
Of the five who are tested positive so far three are female and two male and all are asymptomatic, said Dr Tavares.
“All the UK returnees tested positive are advised to undergo home isolation and will be shifted to ESI hospital Margao,” said Dr Tavares.
The State government has already designated the ESI Hospital, Margao for keeping all the patients tested positive for Covid-19 after their arrival from the UK as those tested positive after arrival from the UK are supposed to be kept in separate institutional isolation a source at CHC said.
It is gathered that a total of 16 persons had arrived on the same flight this week.
Four are from Mashem, three from Mastimol, two from Shristhal, one each from Sheller, Polem, Betul (Agonda), Palolem, Poinguinim, Ponsulem and Bhatpal.
As some of the UK returnees were tested positive for the Coronavirus, locals have expressed concerns over social media.
