Goa death toll soars to 86 as six more succumb to Covid-19

PANAJI: The state’s Covid-19 death toll rose to 86 on Tuesday after six more persons — all men, with comorbid conditions —succumbed to the infection. These fatalities continue the trend of August reporting at least one death every day. So far, 41 persons have died in 11 days this month.


A 45-year-old from Goa Velha, a 72-year-old from Sada, a 68-year-old from Mestawada and a 65-year-old from Vasco died at the ESI-Covid hospital, two others, a 68-year-old from Betim-Reis Magos and a 73-year-old from Sada died at the Goa Medical College (GMC) and hospital, Bambolim.

The 45-year-old, who was referred to GMC with chronic alcoholism, withdrawal symptoms and pancreatitis, had no relatives, and the South Goa collectorate identified him by his voter’s car, and traced his family to Bijapur.

His wife is expected to arrive in Goa on Wednesday for final rites.

Meanwhile, with four of the day’s six reported deaths being from Vasco, the port town has now accounted for 45% of all deaths in the state. The town’s urban health centre continued to have the highest number of active cases in the state as of Tuesday, with 372.

The state’s total caseload rose to 9,444, after 415 new positives were detected on Tuesday. The capital city too crossed the 100-mark, with 27 new cases detected. For the first time, the Margao health centre has more active cases than Cortalim. In fact, Margao, Cortalim and Vasco together account for 40% of the state’s active caseload.

Also, health workers continued to test positive for Covid. Two GMC doctors, one of whom is an ENT specialist, tested positive, while a doctor leading the effort to combat Covid in Chimbel is also now a Covid active case.

The jurisdiction of the Chimbel PHC extends to Taleigao, Santa Cruz, Merces and Curca. Local MLA Tony Fernandes said the doctor, who worked tirelessly on the frontlines, was asymptomatic. He said he hadn’t returned home for the past two months.

“I appeal to people, nurses and staff to take care of your lives, and take precautions. If you turn positive, who will take care of us?” he said to reporters. The Chimbel PHC currently as 151 active cases and has seen three deaths so far. While it has managed to prevent a repeat of Mangor Hill, cases have recently begun to rise again.

Meanwhile in Bicholim, swabs were collected at the mamlatdar’s office after an employee tested positive. Mamlatdar Pravinvijay Pandit told TOI that all tests were negative, and that the office was fully sanitised.