PANJIM: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has demanded that the State government immediately take steps to start a genome sequencing testing facility in Goa to ensure quick detection of the feared Delta Plus variant of COVID-19. Congress warned of launching an agitation in the next 15 days if a full-fledged laboratory is not set up by then.
GPCC President Girish Chodankar also criticised the BJP Government for once again endangering the lives of the innocent Goans by allowing entry to outsiders in Goa by just conducting a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 on the borders, which he said is not a sufficient check, especially when Delta Plus variant has already reached.
“In our neighbouring States, the new variants (including Delta Plus) have already arrived. The spread of this variant can be controlled with early detection and containment and hence we should have our own laboratory for genome sequencing testing. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should now at least come to his senses and work towards saving the lives of people,” said Chodankar.
He pointed out that at present, samples from Goa are sent to Pune, which is taking a longer duration to get the result.
