CUNCOLIM: The rising number of COVID-19 cases in Cuncolim has created panic amongst the locals. As per the government’s health bulletin, the active cases were at 18 on Thursday and were 10 on Friday. The total cases, which include those, who had got COVID and now have recovered, are reportedly above 20. It may be recalled that the Cuncolim MLA himself and his family had tested positive.
Concern has been raised about who these people are and who they had come in contact with.
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Sources stated that six garbage workers of the Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC) and seven workers from the Cuncolim Industrial Estate are amongst those who had tested positive.
Taking cognizance of the development, CMC has temporarily stopped the work of garbage collection in Cuncolim and has asked workers not to report for duty until they receive further instructions.
The South Goa Collector had also issued orders to shut down two industrial units at the industrial estate.
Residents of Cuncolim are worried that the Industrial Estate can emerge as the next hotspot for COVID.
“Hundreds of migrant workers are staying at IDC inside the factory premises and many more are staying at rented houses in Cuncolim,” said a local.
Cuncolkars have demanded that mass testing of workers at the industrial estate be conducted and a strict check on the movement of workers at the IDC be maintained.
Former MLA Joaquim Alemao also demanded for mass testing of migrant workers at IDC. Alemao appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the district administration to take charge of the NUSI Hospital and use it as Covid Care Centre, which he felt will also help reduce the burden on the Balli Primary Health Centre (PHC).
It is to be noted that the Balli PHC is facing pressure in view of the rising cases. As they are understaffed, the doctors, nurses and other staff are on their toes and are conducting a huge number of tests for COVID-19. Sources said that the medical team is facing hardships in collecting swab samples of such a big number of people.
On one side, this limited staff has to take swab samples and on the other hand, they have to attend to the regular patients as well. At the same time, some of the staff has been deputed at the COVID hospital, which has added to their problems, “sources added.
On this note, Cuncolkars have been demanding for additional health staff at the Balli PHC.
