Times of India | 3 weeks ago | 05-06-2022 | 04:30 am
Panaji: Health minister Vishwajit Rane, while appealing to citizens to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, said the government cannot be expected to bring in restrictions as Goa is a tourist-oriented destination. “Economic activity and health must coexist,” he said. He, however, appealed to people to wear masks in crowded places. “Citizens feel that the government has to do everything,” he said. “With active cases crossing 200, there is a rising trend and we all have to stay safe,” Rane said in a video message to citizens. He appealed to people with flu symptoms and bodyache to get tested. State epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar said the state’s positivity rate has been above five per cent over the past four days. “During week 15 of this year, weekly cases dropped to as low as 13. But now we are seeing 176 cases a week. This is definitely a rise, a small rise. Whether it will turn into a major wave will have to be seen,” he said. “If the Omicron variant continues to be dominant, the admission rate will be low and death rate under control,” Betodkar said. He added that after 68 samples were recently tested at the new genomic sequencing lab at Asilo hospital, the only variant in circulation appeared to be Omicron, which was the same one present during the mild third wave. When asked whether masks should be made compulsory for schools and government establishments, director of health services Dr Geeta Kakodkar said, “Nothing should be made compulsory. It should be a social responsibility to wear masks.” Regarding advice to government officials and ministers holding large functions, and whether these should be allowed at all, she said, “All are adults and can choose whether to go or not.”
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