Goa Witnesses First COVID-19 Case As Three Men With Foreign Travel History Test Positive For Coronavirus

Coronavirus entered Goa as three persons with foreign travel history tested positive for COVID-19 in the state on Wednesday. This is the first time the state has reported coronavirus positive cases, confirms Health department official.

“Three suspected cases of COVID-19 from Goa, whose test results were awaited, have turned out positive,” a press statement released by the Directorate of Health Services read. All three men- aged 25, 29 and 55 years returned to Goa from Spain, Australia and the USA, respectively, the officials said.

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They admitted in Goa Medical College and Hospital, Panaji. All three patients are stable, the officials added.

It was a shocking development for the tourist state as authorities had so far succeeded to keep away the deadliest virus.

Goa Fighting COVID-19

The state government had barred tourists to enter Goa till March 31. Tourists should not come to Goa before March 31, state Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had announced on Saturday.

Beaches, restaurants and public places remained closed in the state. To check the spread of Covid-19, the state government on Friday imposed, with immediate effect, section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), thereby banning the assembly of four or more people and the organisation of any processions.

In view of the development, North Goa collector R Menaka and South Goa collector Ajit Roy had prohibited any gathering of four or more people. They have also banned any demonstrations and public meetings on roads and streets. Any person contravening the order shall be punishable under IPC section 188. The order shall remain in force till further orders.

India Vs Coronavirus

Meanwhile, the death count in India has reached 11 due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus in the country. According to the latest update, a total of 566 cases of coronavirus has been reported in India.

Neighbouring State Maharashtra Most Affected

Neighbouring state Maharashtra witnessed maximum 125 coronavirus positive cases. In the toughest measure to contain the spread of coronavirus outbreak so far, the state government has imposed ‘statewide curfew’, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced on Monday. "The coronavirus spread is at a crucial stage. If we don't take strong steps now, we may face a situation similar to other countries. We have been making repeated appeals, but they seem to have had no impact, so we are forced to implement curfew," Thackeray said in an address to the people of the state.

(With PTI Inputs)