Not lockdown but vaccination soon: CM

The coronavirus cases have gone haywire in India and even in the state. India saw the highest ever cases -1,15,000 in the past 24 hours. On Wednesday Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant while admitting that the rise in cases was worrisome, said the lockdown was not a solution but vaccination was. He said that if all those above 45 years of age take the .vaccine 50% of Goa will be covered.

The Chief Minister stressed on vaccination, masks and social distancing as solutions. He said advisories have been issued for government departments, industry and TTAG to vaccinate their staff who are above 45. Goa's economy went down to zero during past lockdown and we don't want to destroy the  economy going into another lockdown, he said promising that enforcement against those not wearing masks will be increased. The Centre has warned that next 4 weeks are crucial as this wave has still not plateaued.

 India has reported a highest single day jump of 1,15,736 cases in last 24 hours. With this the active cases have crossed 8 lakh mark. It only took two days for active cases to reach 8 lakh from 7 lakh. 630 deaths also took place in the last 24 hours taking the death toll to 1,66,177. States such as Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala contributed to 81% of the daily cases.

The national daily positivity rate now stands at 8.40%. The positivity rate on 8 March was 2.8%.  However, the Goa positivity rate has been consistently crossing 10%.

Maharashtra reported 55,000 cases in past 24 hours, out of which 10,030 cases were reported from Mumbai. Pune reported 11,040 cases. Health Minister of Maharashtra Rajesh Tope has admitted that the state hospitals are running out of oxygen supply and requested neighbouring states to send them oxygen cylinders. Maharashtra also says that it is almost out of vaccines.

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane chaired a meeting of all the Goa Medical College and Hospital, heads of department to review Covid protocols and management at the hospital in view of the rising cases. The meeting decided to resume telephone service for booking OPD appointments, erect pandals for seamless management of out-patients. Also patient's relatives will be restricted in view of the rising cases and strict implementation of SOPs.