PANJIM: The COVID-19 scare forced another village, Cumbarjua, to resort to a self-imposed lockdown after four positive cases were reported in the area. On the other hand, Chimbel, that recorded six positive cases as on Friday morning, will not lockdown. Shiren in Chimbel might, however, be sealed in the wake of cases from that area.
In Cumbarjua, Sarpanch Nishita Gaude on Friday issued a public notice announcing a compete lockdown till Monday. Seeking cooperation from the people, she stated, “Public are hereby informed that in the villagers’ meeting, the present members suggested lockdown of the full village due to four COVID-19 cases identified in our village. It is also suggested to close all shops, liquor shops, salons, etc from today midnight to Monday 6pm.”
Chimbel, where five out of the six positive cases are from one family, will not lockdown but mass testing of villagers has begun. St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane accepted his suggestion for mass testing in order to control further spread of the infection.
The testing facility has been set up at Provedoria building. As on Friday morning, 115 samples were collected for testing, reports of which are awaited.
For now, since cases have been detected in Shiren, this could be declared a containment zone and sealed as a precautionary measure. “CM has assured to seal the area (Shiren),” Fernandes said. The wards in Shiren have nearly 2,000 persons who will undergo the test.
Asked if the entire village will lock down, the local MLA did not support this claiming “lockdown is not the solution” to contain the spread of the virus.
“Lockdown is not the answer. Lockdown is not the solution. The containment zone is being sealed. With the help of the village panchayat, we are following all guidelines by the Health Director Dr Jose De Sa and the government,” he said.
Taleigao village, where panic gripped after a man tested positive for COVID-19, fortunately saw all other reports come negative. Sarpanch Agenlo Da Cunha denied there would be a lockdown in the village. “All 90 swab sample reports are negative. The man tested positive when he was in the GMC is responding well to treatment. There won’t be a lockdown in Taleigao,” he told Herald.
Meanwhile, 61 workers of the Corporation of City of Panaji as well as the Mayor Uday Madkaikar underwent a test for COVID-19 on Friday and the reports are awaited.
