Goa records first two COVID-19 deaths

The patient was tested after his family members tested positive for the virus, and he was shifted to the Covid-19 ward at the Goa Medical College Sunday night before being shifted to ESI Hospital — the state’s designated Covid-19 hospital. According to Directorate of Health Services (DHC) officials, he succumbed to his infection around 6 am Monday.

The DHS will now be conducting the final rites according to the SOP in place.

Late on Monday, officials said a 58-year-old man admitted to ESI hospital died, making it two dead in the state.

Of the 85-year-old from Morlem, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, “This man was from my constituency. My condolences to the family. This was unfortunate.”

Morlem panchayat, which falls under the Valpoi Assembly constituency, was earlier this month declared a containment zone.

Goa till date has recorded 864 Covid-19 cases, with 711 cases still active. Of them, 83 people had returned to the state from other parts of India and abroad.

As of Monday, 1,188 persons were in quarantine.

The state government has, till date, changed its discharge policy three times, with only those who are symptomatic now being tested while being discharged.

Goa looks to TV channels to air academic content for school students

With Internet connectivity posing a problem in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Monday said his government was looking to see if Doordarshan or private channels can be used to broadcast academic content to teach students in the state. “Connectivity is a problem….we are looking at ways to air the academic content to all corners,” Sawant said at a press conference.

“There is no such order or circular which says online education is compulsory. Schools have to come with other ways and they cannot insist on teaching the entire syllabus online.” CM also announced that all students of Classes 9 and 12 will be promoted. “It’s feasible that way instead of going for exams again in the pandemic,” he said.

While a decision to open schools will be taken on July 15, Sawant said, “Teachers have to come to schools from tomorrow and start preparations. Around 11,000 teachers have been trained for online tutorials.” He added that once schools begin, they will reduce and even curtail Diwali and Christmas leaves in order to ensure that they are able to complete the syllabus. “The onus to complete the syllabus is on teachers,” he said.