PANAJI
People falling prey to the dreaded novel SARS-CoV-2 virus continued to alarmingly rise in Goa with another highest single day spike of 713 cases and eight deaths recorded on Thursday.
The reports sent the top hierarchy in the government's Covid-19 response team into a huddle over fine tuning strategy after which Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the response time for treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital is being streamlined. The health department reported that 713 samples were positive of the 2,291 reports received in the 24 hours ending late Thursday evening.
The health bulletin also reported eight deaths in the same 24-hour period and 302 more were declared cured. Active cases have shot up to over 4,700 leaving the Covid facilities overburdened and the stricken with no options.
Meanwhile Rane chaired an emergency meeting Thursday which was attended among others by Health Secretary Nila Mohanan, IAS, GMC&H Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Deputy Director-DHS Dr Geeta Kakodkar, Dr Anar, Dr Dattaram Sardesai and Dr Durga Lawande.
Rane said special attention is being given to treating 'Interstitial Pneumonia' which is caused by Covid-19.
"It is important that it is treated at the right time," Rane said, adding that awareness campaigns will be launched by the health department as it is crucial. "We shall be conducting awareness campaigns in order to reach to the masses and impart knowledge on symptoms of Covid-19,” said Rane.
With Thursday's eight deaths, the Covid-19 toll has touched 212.Two persons each from Margao and Navelim were counted among Thursday's Covid-19 deaths and the balance four hailed from Bambolim, Mapusa, Sanquelim and Vasco.
