PANAJI
Health Secretary Ravi Dhawan on Monday disclosed that since March 2020, a total 16,246 children below 18 years of age, which works out to 11.34 per cent of the total positive cases recorded in the state so far, have tested positive for Covid-19 infections in Goa.
Dr Maria Silveira, Head of Paediatric Department at Goa medical College and Hospital added that of these, only 150 paediatric Covid patients aged less than 12 years required hospitalization. “During the third wave of Covid pandemic which will probably surface in Goa by September, the number of very severe cases in the pediatric age group will not be more than one or two per cent. Severe cases will be managed at GMC while the mild and moderate cases will be managed by other district hospitals,” Dr Silveira stated.
Dr Maria Silveira is a member of the expert committee constituted to make recommendations on preparations for the Covid third wave.
The committee has identified two 30-bedded Intensive Care Units in the superspecialty block at GMC which are being prepared to house the paediatric ICU, neonatal ICU and High Dependency Unit (HDU). “We are putting together the equipment and manpower that will be required to manage these facilities. In addition to the usual manpower, we have also asked for counsellors to support the parents. A paediatric intensivist will also be included on the team,” Dr Silveira informed.
Meanwhile, Head of Preventive and Social Medicine at GMC Dr Jagdish Cacodkar rued that people are not coming out in the desired numbers for Covid vaccination.
“To develop herd immunity, we have to vaccinate 60 per cent of Goan population. We are far from that. This is the surest way of reducing deaths. Every vaccine will have side effects but one cannot stay away due to rumours,” he said.
State Immunization Officer Dr Rajendra Borkar said that a total of 2.84 lakh beneficiaries have received the first dose of Covid vaccine in Goa while 95,820 have been fully vaccinated.
“We expect more cooperation from the age group of 45 years and above at least by getting their first dose of the vaccine as early as possible. This will reduce mortality, hospitalisation and also reduce transmission,” Dr Borkar said adding that the state government has received 7,31,720 doses till date of which 2,81,170 doses are still with the authorities.
Mucormycosis treatment
at Ward 102: GMC Dean
PANAJI: GMC Dean Dr SM Bandekar said that Ward 102 at GMC has been identified to treat mucormycosis cases
The total number of “black fungus” (mucormycosis) cases in Goa has risen to 10, informed the Dean. Out of these, six have received treatment, one has succumbed and three others are awaiting surgical treatment.
“They are high diabeteic patients who have received a course of steroids for Covid treatment. To treat such cases, we have now identified Ward 102 at GMC with Dr Carnegie De Sa as the nodal officer. All consultants will be working with him,” Dr Bandekar said.
Pharma workers, differently-abled
lifeguards in Frontline Category
PANAJI: The state government on Monday declared pharmaceutical employees, divyang persons and lifeguards as “Frontline/Special Category Workers” for the purpose of Covid vaccination.
The first category includes workers employed in the pharmaceutical or medicine supply chain from production to retailing with Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration licensed establishments being permitted to issue a certificate in prescribed format.
The second category comprises differently-abled people upon production of disability certificates issued by government doctors and the third category includes lifeguards engaged by the Tourism Department upon production of certificates issued by an authorized officer of the Tourism Department.
