PANAJI
Overwhelmed by the sheer numbers, the health department has tweaked the protocol for people testing positive for the dreaded coronavirus: If you test positive and are asymptomatic, no longer do you have to seek an advance nod to stay home and isolated.
For three days in a row, Goa has witnessed 3,000-plus testing positive everyday taking the number of active Covid-19 inflicted patients in the State to a whopping 22,945 exceeding by more than 100 per-cent the total bed capacities of Covid-19 hospitals and Care Centres.
Thus the numbers are so high, that there is no way existing health infrastructure can cater to all the active Covid-19 patients.
Also, the existing primary healthcare setup through the various Community, Urban and Primary Health Centres in the State are unable to coordinate the logistics involved in tending to those testing positive and isolating at their homes.
In fact, reports have been coming in from different parts of the State that Primary Health Centres in their areas have run out of supplies and were out of home isolation Covid kits to be delivered to homes where those who have tested positive are isolating themselves.
Meanwhile, neighbourhood communities have for several days begun closing ranks in various localities to step in and assist families afflicted with the dreaded virus. There are several stories pouring in from different parts of Goa that medicines and grocery supplies as well as cooked meals are being delivered to these families by the community.
