SERAULIM: Vaccination drives have commenced in the Salcete coastal villages of Varca, Cavelossim, Carmona, Colva and Betalbatim with similar vaccination drives also to be held in the rural villages of Seraulim, Ambelim, Sarzora and Sirlim-Dramapur.
Seraulim sarpanch Leslie Dourado disclosed, “The vaccination drives will be held on Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm in the Seraulim church hall. The panchayat has complained to the Colva police regarding the fish vendors squatting near the bridge of the recently constructed Western Bypass generating crowds of purchasers violating the COVID social distancing norms. Although the police chase them away, they come back to the site later.”
Ambelim sarpanch Denica Correia remarked, “Our vaccination drive of Ambelim panchayat is on Wednesday and Thursday at St Xavier’s high school, Velim for those aged 45 years old and above. The announcement has been done in the village, besides the panch members have also informed the people.”
Sirlim-Dramapur panch member Netty Ferrao informed, “The COVID vaccination drive will be held for those aged 45 years and above on Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 2 pm in the Sirlim-Dramapur village panchayat hall.”
Former Sarzora sarpanch Sabita Mascarenhas added that “the COVID vaccination drive will be held on Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 2 pm in the Sarzora village panchayat hall.”
Former Sernabatim-Vanelim-Colva-Gaundalim village sarpanch Anthony ‘Mam’ Fernandes disclosed, “A vaccination camp has started today (Monday) from 9 am onwards in the Infant Jesus high school, near the Colva church. It will be held for three days – Monday to Wednesday, May. Presently, 65 individuals have been vaccinated with another 15-20 persons patiently waiting their turn in the queue. A total of 100 persons were vaccinated today (Monday).”
Betalbatim sarpanch Constancio Miranda remarked, “The two-day vaccination camp is being held on Monday, and Tuesday at St Jude’s high school, Betalbatim with registrations being done from 9 am to 2 pm. However, no person is turned away with vaccinations being given even after 2 pm due to the long queues of people waiting for their turn to be vaccinated. Approximately 56 persons were vaccinated today (Monday, May 24) whereas 291 persons were vaccinated on the one-day vaccination camp held on Friday, April 23. Today (Monday, May 24) was the second vaccination camp held in Betalbatim.”
Varca sarpanch Crosly Charlton Lourenco disclosed, “A vaccination drive of the first dose for those who are 45 years old and above is being held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdayat St Mary high school, Varca from 9 am to 2 pm. However, the vaccinators shall render their services till 4 pm at the concerned centres.”
In Cavelossim, the vaccination camps are being held on Monday and Tuesday
“Although the government has extended the curfew till May 31st, it would have been better if the government had gone for a total lockdown for a minimum period of one month with only groceries open and all activity including construction activity banned to contain the spread of the virus. Due to the pro-active measures of our panchayat, our cases have come down to about 40 cases from over 100 cases and two deaths. We are taking all preventive measures including public announcements and arranging vaccination camps which are scheduled on Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25. We will strive to get our village into the Green Zone through our efforts,” said Carmona sarpanch Allwyn Jorge.
Meanwhile, the Assolna sarpanch Xavier Almeida claimed that the COVID-19 positive cases have declined in Assolna village from the 18 cases reported till date to 13 cases since five COVID-19 positive patients have completed their home isolation.
Velim sarpanch Savio D’Silva divulged, “Regarding COVID-19 positive cases, we don’t have any updates from the Balli health centre.”
