With the increasing number of COVID19 recovered cases, there is no urgency of having a new COVID hospital in North Goa as of now, the Health Secretary Nila Mohanan said here today.
“I do not see any urgent need as of now COVID hospital as in the current hospital, we always have less then 50 percent occupancy,” Mohanan said replying to query at the press conference.
However, she add, the government already has plan in case the need arises.
She, further informed, that two hospitals Manipal and Apollo have applied for antigen tests and the government is considering their proposals as per ICMR guidelines.
“Besides hospitals, private labs have also sought permissions for RT PCR tests and antigen tests, which is being actively looked upon,” she added.
Asked about the reluctance of the cured COVID persons to donate plasma, she said, there has been a good response.
“Around 15-20 persons have donated their plasma so far. We are expecting more to come forward and donate,” she said.
She further said that the plasma therapy has not yet started in GMC.
“There is need of few more steps to be done before the plaza therapy starts,” she said adding “the doctors then will take a call on whom and how to be done “.
On asked how many hospitals have complied with the directive to reserve 20 p.c of ICU beds, the health secretary informed one hospital has complied and we are gathering information on compliance by others.
On the delay in testing results, she said, that the DHS has been doing its best in increasing testing.
“Everyday we are testing about 2600-2700 besides there are days when we have touched 3000,” she said.
Mohanan further said that the government is ramping up the facilities with one more truenat machine at Hospicio and two at Ponda.
On testing of beggars in Margao after on death, she said the Collector will take a call.
Replying to a query, Mohanan replied that the cases in Goa’s epicentre of COVID19 – Mangor hill is declining.
“There are no cases in Chota Mangor for quite some days while Bada Mangor the cases are in single digit,” she said..
The Secretary, who also holds Education portfolio, said that the Government is actively considering teachers working from home as per the Centre’s guidelines.