Goemkarponn Desk
CANACONA: From a couple of active Covid-19 cases a few weeks ago, Canacona has seen a sudden spurt in cases, and as on Friday there were reportedly 42 active Covid-19 cases in the taluka while the total case load has reached 937.
Concerned about the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases in the taluka an emergency meeting of all the heads of the government departments and elected representatives from Canacona was called by deputy collector Uday Prabhudesai at the behest of Canacona MLA and deputy speaker Isidore Fernandes.
During the meeting Dr Divakar Velip of Canacona Community Health Centre briefed on the present scenario of Covid-19 cases and its fast spread and the need to follow the SOP to curb the spread of the disease.
The sequence clearly points to more active Covid-19 cases to the three beach villages of Canacona.
Patnem and Talpona are the leading villages with seven cases each while Galgibagha, another beachside village has six active Covid-19 cases.
Bhagatwada is followed by five cases, Mastimoll has four cases, Palolem, Agonda, Colomb and Poinguinim has two cases each while Devabagh, Sheller, Bhatpal Sadolxem and Chaudi has one active Covid-19 case each.
The speakers which included the deputy collector, mamlatdar and doctors from Community Health Centre stressed the need for the general public to adhere to the standard operating procedures announced by the authorities.
Simon Rebello the newly elected chairperson of Canacona Municipal Council suggested strict implementation of the SOP by the authorities.
Deputy speaker and local MLA Isidore Fernandes expressed concern about the rising number of Covid-19 cases and stressed on following the SOP strictly.
He advised the authorities to convince the violators of the SOP to follow the Covid-19 guidelines and if they repeat the violations to fine them.
He informed the elected representatives in the hall to not to call police to not to take action incase the violator is his or friend or a voter.
Fernandes mentioned to the elected representatives to carry extra masks with them and offer a mask to any one seen not wearing one.
Fernandes said that wearing mask, following Covid-19 SOP, and taking Covid-19 jab is the only way to control the pandemic, lockdown or closure of the markets is not the solution as it inadvertently effects the economy of the taluka.
When pointed out by a news reporter that Goa Bhagyatdar and Saturday market both at Chaudi are the two potential places where Covid-19 might spread from, Fernandes informed the police, the deputy collector and the mamlatdar of Canacona to take preventive measures and to convince people to not to crowd and maintain social distance.
Fernandes also informed that the vaccination drive which was done at Community Health Centre at Chaudi will be taken one step ahead and the vaccination will be done in each of the seven panchayats in Canacona taluka.
“On Saturday we are going to start vaccination program in the premises of Loliem-Polem panchayat and it will continue in other village panchayats too, all those above 45 years of age will be administered the Covid-19 vaccine and the BLO’s of the wards will assist in informing the villagers who are above 45 to come for taking the Covid-19 jab Fernandes informed.
The meeting was attended by Canacona mamlatdar Vimod Dalal, Canacona PI Tulshidas Naik, BDO Gurudatta Naik, Dr Amey Aiyya, Dr Divakar Velip, CMC chairperson Simon Rebello, councillors, sarpanchas and panch members of all the seven panchayats in the taluka.
