COVID-19 pandemic in Goa explained

COVID-19 pandemic in Goa
Disease:	COVID-19
Virus Strain:	SARS-CoV-2
Location:	Goa
First Outbreak:	Wuhan, China
First Reported:	1422
Date:	4 July 2020

The first case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed in Goa on 25 March 2020. The state has confirmed a total of 10494 cases, of whom 6912 have recovered and 91 died, as of 13 August. The state was COVID-19 free for 23 days until the disease resurfaced on 14 May when a family returning from the neighbouring state of Maharashtra tested positive. The worst impact was felt around September–October 2020, while as of April–May 2021, a second wave of COVID-19 was also felt strongly across the small State.

Timeline

See main article: Timeline of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in India.

March 2020

On 14 March 2020, the government of Goa announced that the schools and colleges in the state would remain closed until 1 April 2020.
On 20 March 2020, the government of Goa launched Test Yourself Goa, a self-assessment-tool-for-COVID-19.^[1]
The Chief minister of Goa announced on 23 March that shops selling essential commodities like groceries, milk, vegetables and meat would be open daily from 6am to 11am.^[2] ^[3]
On 24 March 2020, the government of Goa announced a complete lockdown in Goa until 31 March 2020, and that even grocery stores would be shut.^[4] ^[5]
Later in the evening on the 24th, the Prime Minister announced a lockdown in the entire country until 14 April 2020.^[6]
The first three positive cases were detected in Goa on 25 March 2020. The three male patients were aged 25, 29 and 55 years and had travelled to Spain, Australia and the US, respectively.^[7]
On 26 March 2020, the Chief Minister announced that shops selling milk, vegetables and fish would be allowed to open from the following day.^[8]
The state government requisitioned two battalions of the CRPF on 28 March to help enforce the lockdown.^[9]
2 more positive cases were announced as being positive on 29 March 2020. One person had returned from the Bahamas, while the other had been in contact with one of the first three positive patients. Both were Goans, and were already under quarantine.^[10]

April 2020

On 3 April, Goa's 6th case was announced. The person had a travel history to Mozambique.^[11]
Goa's 7th case was detected on 4 April. The patient had a foreign travel history.^[12]
All seven persons in Goa have recovered from the COVID-19 infection and the state is now declared as COVID-19 free state by Chief Minister.

May 2020

The government allowed the entry of modes of transportation like trains, buses and cars into Goa from 14 May, leading to a huge influx of people from other states. This caused a big spurt in COVID-19 cases in Goa, with 39 new cases in 6 days up to 19 May.
State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced that all people above 18 years in Goa would be given ivermectin for prophylactic use for a period of five days.^[13] The Minister said this treatment would not prevent COVID-19 infection but it can help reduce its severity.^[13]

June 2020

Mangor Hill in Vasco da Gama, Goa is declared as Goa's first containment zone. As of Thursday 4 June the Covid positive cases touched 166, with 109 active cases including those at Mangor Hill.^[14]
As of 19 June total Covid positive cases in Goa reached 705, with 596 active cases and 109 cures.^[15]
On 22 June, Goa reported its first death due to Coronavirus on death of an 85-year-old man.^[16]

August 2020

On 13 August Goa had more than 10 thousand confirmed cases with almost 7 thousand recoveries and 91 death
By the end of August, there were more than 20 thousand confirmed cases and 200 deaths.^[17]

September–October 2020

The first COVID-19 peak was reported during this period.

April–May 2021

A second peak was reported, which was seen as deadlier than the first, with a larger number of deaths than seen anytime earlier, on a daily basis.

Notes and References

Web site: Goa first to launch self-assessment tool for Covid-19 . The Times of India . 21 March 2020 . 20 January 2021.
Web site: Herald . Heraldgoa.in . 2020-03-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200611153416/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/LOCKDOWN-DAY2-CM-announces-relaxation-for-DAY-3-4/158640 . 11 June 2020 . dead .
Web site: Goa govt relaxes Janata Curfew from 6am to 11am for purchase of essential commodities | Goa News – Times of India . Timesofindia.indiatimes.com . 2020-03-24 . 2020-03-30.
Web site: Prudent Media . Prudent Media on Twitter: "Cabinet has decided total "lockdown"? in Goa till 31st March from today mid-night, today was last day for people to buy groceries: Mauvin Godinho #Goa #Cabinet #Lockdown #Coronavirus" . Twitter.com . 2020-03-24 . 2020-03-30.
News: Goa CM orders complete lockdown till March 31 . 30 March 2020 . Deccan Herald . 24 March 2020 . en.
Web site: India goes under total lockdown till 14 April . News.abplive.com . 2020-03-25 . 2020-03-30.
Web site: Coronavirus: Goa reports three positive cases- Business News . Businesstoday.in . 2020-03-26 . 2020-03-30.
Web site: Goa opens grocery shops: 'I dread the future, onus to protect yourself on you now', CM tells people. Indianexpress.com . 2020-03-26 . 2020-03-30.
News: Goa calls in CRPF, CM says 'given free hand to enforce lockdown' . 30 March 2020 . The Indian Express . 28 March 2020.
Web site: 2 more corona positive cases in Goa; tally reaches 5 . Daijiworld.com . 2020-03-22 . 2020-03-30.
Web site: One more tests positive for coronavirus in Goa; tally rises to 6. 3 April 2020.
Web site: One More COVID-19 Case in Goa, Count Reaches 7: Goa Health Minister.
News: Coronavirus All adults in Goa to be given Ivermectin drug . 25 September 2021 . The Hindu . 11 May 2021 . en-IN.
Web site: 40 new cases take Goa's COVID-19 tally to 166. 4 June 2020.
Web site: MoHFW-GOI. 14 May 2020 . Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Web site: Coronavirus: Goa reports 1st Covid-19 death . 23 June 2020 . IndiaToday. 22 June 2020 .
https://twitter.com/DHS_Goa/status/1293913456861523970/photo/1 Status of #COVID19 in Goa dated, 13th August 2020