MAPUSA
With 970 active cases, Bardez is turning out to be a Covid hotspot in North Goa. Urban and coastal areas are leading the surge in the Covid positive cases in the taluka.
Bardez has five primary health centres -- Aldona, Candolim, Colvale, Siolim and Porvorim -- and one urban health centre in Mapusa.
Porvorim PHC reported the highest number of active cases at 326, followed by Candolim PHC (240).
Similarly, Mapusa urban health centre has 179 active cases while Siolim PHC has reported a sudden surge with active cases mounting to 116.
The two PHCs in rural areas “ Aldona and Colvale “ have reported 64 and 45 active cases respectively until Thursday.
During the surge between June and September last year, the same areas particularly Porvorim PHC had reported a maximum number of cases.
According to the health department, cases have increased in these areas as most of the residents do not follow proper Covid protocols.
“Covid positive cases are shooting up and it’s a big concern for us. A lot of tourists who have to go back to their states are also testing positive. It becomes a little inconvenient for them as they cannot go back to the hotels and therefore have to be accommodated in government quarantine facilities,” said Health Officer, Dr Sadhna Shetye, who is monitoring the coastal PHC at Siolim.
“Lowering of guard by people who do not use face masks and maintain social distancing is the prime reason for the cases to swell,” Dr Shetye added.
The increase in daily new cases has become a big concern for health officials as it puts pressure on the staff and the infrastructure.
“There is huge pressure on the medical staff. We have to depute our staff for testing as well as vaccination, which goes on holidays and Sundays,” the Siolim health officer said.
According to Candolim Health Officer, Dr Roshan Nazareth the number of cases is shooting up because the government has stepped up tests.
“People are still hesitating to come for testing. We have come across several instances where when one person is tested positive, the entire family members are tested positive the next day. This shows that the person who was positive has passed it to others which could have been avoided,” Dr Nazareth said and appealed to people to come for testing when they experience initial symptoms.
