PANAJI
The Expert Committee advising the State government on Covid-19 management has recommended that the use of mask protocol should continue at least until July.
Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Dean, Dr Shivanand Bandekar, who heads the panel said, the guard should not be let down by discarding the use of face masks.
"Masks should be advisable till June or July," Dr Bandekar said, adding that it takes about 4 months for any Covid-19 wave to disappear and reappear.
Dr Bandekar said, with the third wave having subsided in mid-February, the Covid-19 restrictions particularly wearing of face masks should be kept on until June-July.
The Expert Committee held its meeting on Monday where in some members recommended making available the booster doze of the vaccine at government hospitals and centres free of charge.
Currently the booster doze can be taken at private hospitals at a cost. The panel has several medical professionals also drawn from the private sector.
Meanwhile, Bandekar said it is very difficult to predict when Goa will be hit by the next wave of Covid-19 infections but added that IIT Kanpur researchers have predicted the fourth wave of Covid-19 in India from June.
"IIT Kanpur’s earlier predictions have come true," Dr Bandekar said, adding that with the general rise in common cold cases during monsoons, there is a possibility that those with respiratory symptoms may test positive.
The GMC Dean said all necessary preparations are ready in case a fourth wave is to be faced in the State, adding that no new variants have been detected as yet.
Meanwhile Dr Bandekar said, that the Director of Health Services Dr Geeta Kakodkar has informed that the Genome sequencing machine will soon be commissioned at the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa.
Bandekar however said, the genome sequencing machine installed at the GMC will require at least another two weeks to be fully functional and commissioned.
