The state of Goa has been able to achieve a 43.8% coverage of the first dose vaccination here, clocking in a rapid rate of inoculation target achievement. This is a testimony of the public’s positive outlook towards clinical resources against the COVID spread. The Chief Minister on Tuesday, further added that the state’s high literacy rate may have bolstered the vaccination drive. People are aware of the rise and prevention of the pandemic, thus, are resorting to certified means to control it.
Goa’s accelerated COVID vaccination drive
Goa government has decided to not unlock its tourism industry until it achieves 100% coverage of the at least the first dose of vaccination. This means, that the state will not revive its tourist economy until the entire local population has been administered at least the first-jab of the anti-virus vaccine. Goa aims to achieve this absolute coverage by July 30.
“We are trying to achieve 100 per cent vaccination, (which is possible) because of the high literacy rate,” the Goa CM told reporters. According to the 2011 census, Goa’s literacy stands at 88.70 per cent.
The CM also thanked the officials of the health department for furnishing the state with the highest percentage of vaccination in one day. Reportedly, around 20,000 people are being vaccinated in Goa every day. He lauded the entire workforce engaged in the state’s Tika Utsav 3.0 vaccination campaign and credited the work of political party workers and religious leaders, who influenced the public to create awareness regarding inoculation in Goa.
Goa prepared for the third wave of coronavirus
Meanwhile, the CM further stated that the state has made all required arrangements to mitigate the threat of the anticipated third wave of COVID infection. “We are over-prepared for the third wave. By bad luck if the third wave comes, we are fully prepared for it,” the CM said in a statement on Tuesday.
At the same time, he urged the people to adhere to all precautionary steps and protocols in public places to not instigate an infection spill. The present-day case tallies are dipping but no laxity in norms is advised. Goa is presently under a state-level COVID curfew, which is scheduled to be in place till June 28.
“I would only say one thing, the positivity rate at present has come down and the recovery rate has also increased. But we should still take full precautions, even after the state curfew restrictions are eased,” the CM added. The strict guidelines are being followed in view of the second-wave horror that gripped the state, where nearly 100 people died due to oxygen shortage at GMC during the peak spread.
Special task force & expert committee to mitigate anticipated COVID surge
According to experts, the third wave rise will strongly increase the virus prevalance among children. Consequently, the state has instituted an expert committee, with doctors from the Indian Paediatric Association, Indian Medical Association, Goa Medical College and the Directorate of Health Services, the CM informed.
“We are taking suggestions from them to raise infrastructure, procure medicine and train manpower and create additional intensive care units and paediatric intensive care units,” he added. Besides, a special task force has also be formed to ensure the completion of required amenities in due time to tackle the third wave scale of the pandemic.
