PANAJI
Coming as a breather amid the gradually fading second wave, Goa did not record any Covid death on Monday. In a first ‘positive’ news in almost last three-and-half months, there was not a single death in the State, allowing the weary medical fraternity to take a break and breathe a sigh of relief. The last nil death count was recorded on March 22, this year when there was no mortality, meaning after a gap of 112 days, there’s zero death in the State.
The recovery rate was 97.12% which translated into 186 recoveries. The active Covid count stands at 1,770. Out of 3,118 samples tested, 3.46% (108) were found positive. The cumulative death toll stands at 3,097. While 23 patients were discharged from the hospitals, 19 new were admitted.
DOCTORS WATCHFUL
The doctors in Goa have expressed their happiness over zero mortality after a long gap of three-and-half months. However, they are watchful and do not want to take any chance or take it lightly. In fact, most came out with a word of caution for the people.
State epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar opines, “Definitely, it's soothing news. But I hope this zero-death continues, and this is very much possible if all eligible people come forward and get vaccinated. Everyone knows that there is no definite medicine against this viral infection but one weapon that we have to fight against this pandemic is vaccination. And we should use it 100%.”
Commenting on the positive development of zero mortality, Dr Shekhar Salkar, consulting oncologist, Manipal Hospital Goa shared, “It’s very satisfying that after a long time there is zero mortality due to Covid. It needs to be zero for the next few days to have a sigh of relief. That does not mean we should be complacent. We must continue our efforts for 100% vaccination and follow Covid appropriate behaviour.”
Dr Neeraj Borkar, consulting gynaecologist, obstetrician and infertility expert at Borkar Nursing Home warns, “It is important that the public is not complacent because this is the calm before the storm.”
His brother Dr Tejas Borkar, a medical officer on Covid duty since April 2020 and who served at Chicalim Cottage hospital, South Goa District Hospital and PHC Curtorim on peak days, is pleased to hear that Goa has witnessed zero Covid deaths after witnessing horror for the last three months. “Dispelling myths about Covid, getting ourselves vaccinated and showing responsible behaviour are our best bets to prevent the third wave,” states Dr Tejas.
For Panaji’s gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Govind Kamat, Ghanashyam Govind Kamat Memorial Hospital, it’s good news. He credits it as a result of precautionary steps taken by the State machinery. “It is the result of lockdown and vaccination,” says Dr Govind Kamat, but warns at the same time that nothing is over.
“It’s very good news,” exclaims Dr Vithal Rane, a general physician from Vasco, adding further, “Goa has seen a maximum number of mortalities during the second wave. This soothing news will be continued only if people follow Covid appropriate behaviour -- mask, hygiene, social distancing and vaccination.”
Dr Purnima Usgaonkar from Usgaonkar Children’s Hospital, Ponda points out about post-Covid problems, “Though the mortality is reduced yet the post-Covid problems are cropping up. The second wave effects are prolonged and oxygen is still needed for many patients who have come out of the infection but the damage is done to the lungs and other organs are lingering. Also, even those who have come out of the infection show sudden fevers again with other infections.”
“It’s good news for us that not a single victim of Covid has died in the state after 112 days. It is a matter of happiness but we definitely need to be cautious. Hundreds of doctors, nurses and other staff are working day and night without taking any leave so that the spread in Goa is arrested and patients get treated” said Dr Sneha Bhagwat, President, Goa Council of Ayurvedic and Allied System of Medicine, Government of Goa.
