PORVORIM
Covid cases have continued to rise sharply in and around Porvorim, with the Primary Health Centre (PHC) recording a whopping 326 active cases as of Thursday.
To put things into perspective, the PHC had recorded 33 cases on March 16 and this figure has risen by 293 more cases in the last 24 days.
When contacted, Porvorim PHC Dr Vikas Naik said they have increased Covid tests at the health centre.
“On average, 130-150 Covid tests are being conducted every day. On Wednesday, 87 Covid cases were detected while on Thursday, 43 more cases were recorded,” said Dr Naik.
When asked to identify those areas which have accounted for many Covid cases, Dr Naik replied: “Covid active cases are all over Porvorim constituency as well some parts of Reis Magos, Pilerne and Sangolda panchayats, which have also been clubbed in Porvorim PHC.”
“Porvorim is strategically located with a lot of commercial activities and is also close to the coastal belt. As a result, a lot of tourists move in and around the plateau, while several migrants and casino staff stay in Porvorim and nearby areas. This could explain why the area has become a Covid hotspot.”
“If Covid infections are mild, we advise patients to go in for home quarantine. We still appeal to the public to strictly observe Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and use of hand sanitisers,” said Dr Naik.
