Coronavirus: Goa pvt hospitals to get isolation wards, says Vishwajit Rane

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said isolation wards would be set up in the state's private hospitals to combat the novel coronavirus threat. The coastal state, a tourist haven, has no Covid-19 patient as yet, and samples of 19 people tested for suspected exposure had returned negative while one report was awaited.

"The Directorate of Health Services will identify additional isolation wards in private hospitals. We will also make the use of Sterillium (hand disinfectant) mandatory at entry and exit of hospitals," he said after chairing a review meeting.

"Primary health centres will have separate flu corners and segregate OPDs for common cold and cough. We have also invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 which gives us better powers to carry out preventive measures," he added.

A total of 92 people are in home observation in the state, while 15,241 passengers have been screened at the airport, including 366 on Monday, officials said. The state government has set up a 30-bed isolation ward in GMCH, while 16 beds have been kept aside at sub district hospital in Chicalim, 12 in sub district hospital in Ponda and 12 in Margao's TB Hospital in Margao.