MARGAO
The figures speak for themselves. Covid cases are on the decline with the number of patients admitted in the Covid hospitals in South Goa registering an all-time low.
Health warriors, however, sounded a word of caution with the State bracing up for the ensuing Diwali festival on the weekend, asserting that any lowering of guard at this crucial juncture may result in a spike again.
Inquiries by The Goan with the ESI Covid hospital revealed that cases are now hovering around 60 in the last one week.
“Around 62-63 patients were undergoing treatment at the ESI hospital till Wednesday. The number of patients being admitted is gradually coming down. For the last one week, the ESI hospital had around 60 patients on average. This is definitely a good sign. Things are certainly improving,” informed ESI Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Vishwajit Faldesai.
The situation indicates that around 150-160 beds in the 220-capacity ESI hospital are presently lying vacant. Sources in the know say the situation at the hospital is far better and manageable compared to the days when the state had witnessed a spike in cases.
Closely monitoring the situation at the hospital, which has been playing a pivotal role as the major Covid hospital in the treatment of cases, Dr Vishwajit hopes there’s further decline in cases in the coming days.
A similar situation prevails at the South Goa district hospital, which was notified as a Covid hospital around a month and a half ago. District hospital in-charge, Dr Deepa Correia put the number of Covid patients undergoing treatment at the hospital to around 32-34.
Dr Deepa pointed out that the dialysis unit has also started functioning from the South Goa district hospital since last week, which will further give relief to comorbid patients.
Sources pointed out that around 120 beds are lying vacant in the South Goa district hospital, indicating a decline in the number of Covid patients. Health warriors, including doctors, have sounded a warning that any attempt to lower the guard, especially during the ensuing festive season, could prove costly in the coming days.
“We have seen a rush of people in the markets in recent days shopping for Diwali. Caution should be the catchword to ensure that there’s no spike in cases post-festival,” the doctor said.
Health warriors further cautioned that people should strictly follow the norms including social distancing and wearing masks and avoid crowded places.
“Since domestic tourists have started descending on the state to partake in the ensuing festive season, people should strictly observe social distancing and other norms in public places to avoid a spike in cases post-festival,” a health warrior asserted.
