Goa currently has six active Covid-19 cases, with one new case confirmed on Tuesday at the South Goa District Hospital, Margao, according to State Epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar. The new infection emerged from among 14 tests conducted at the facility.
This comes after five consecutive days of zero reported cases. All current infections are said to be mild, with no hospitalisation required. Dr Betodkar emphasised that there is no cause for concern, as the virus is behaving like seasonal flu unless a major mutation occurs.
“Covid is now manifesting like the flu. Most people will eventually be exposed. The virus is not behaving aggressively, and there's no evidence of a dangerous new strain,” he said.
Surveillance testing continues across the state. Hospitals have been instructed to test patients with undiagnosed fever, respiratory distress, and especially those at high risk—including the elderly, children, and people with comorbidities such as uncontrolled diabetes or asthma.
Dr Betodkar added that a new case is now being detected every 3–4 days, and most are being treated at home or OPD level. “If Covid begins to rise again, it will first impact the vulnerable groups. So far, there’s no sign of that,” he noted.
He advised the public to follow basic flu precautions: avoid large gatherings if symptomatic, consult a doctor for flu-like symptoms, and practice cough and sneeze etiquette.