Govt “concerned” over Pharmas in Verna, Cipla also spreading Covid
Sandesh Prabhudesai | 10 July 2020 22:59 IST
Authorities have finally woken up to the spread of Covid virus in Verna Industrial Estate, after units of Tulip are shut down for 14 days. However, positive cases in Cipla Pharmaceuticals have started spreading in the villages.
In fact the sudden jump from 10 cases to 25 more today in Betki is reportedly due to a person working at Cipla in Verna.
And the Covid positive case found in Kumbharjuve is also from Cipla.
It’s not known how many positive cases are found in the units like Tulip, Cipla and others since authorities continue to be tight lipped over it. Health Bulletin is mysteriously silent on the issue.
Though Health Department is still showing only 8 Covid cases in Verna, Health Secretary Nila Mohanan admitted that increasing number of cases among pharmaceutical units in Verna is a “matter of concern”.
In view of this, South Goa Collector Ajit Roy, may be after a fortnight, but shut down units of Tulip Diagnostics for 14 days.
On the other hand, Government college of Khandola (in Mashel) has been shut down for two days as one teacher from Verna teaching in the college is tested positive. She was not coming to college for the last 10 days. The college premises was also sanitized.
The crowded market of Mashel also witnessed a deserted look today due to 35 Covid positive cases at Ganpatiwaddo in Betki and 5 in Mashel.
goanews.com had published a list of cases spread from Verna Industrial Estate to different parts of Goa after gathering reports at ground level. (click here)
It revealed that cases from Cipla are found in Kumbharjuve and Betki while family members and other contacts of employees working at Tulip continue to rise in different parts of Goa like Ozrim in Pedne, where two more cases are found positive.
And in Volovi, Ponda, two small kids are also found positive, the victims of Tulip spread.
Three cases found in Carambolim are also linked to Tulip, besides Canacona, Quepem, Balli, Loutolim, Mandur, Neura, Khorli & Canca in Mapusa etc.
Source of other positive cases from among 100 reported today is not known.
Health Secretary Mohanan also told the media that Director of Food and Drugs Administration Jyoti Sardesai had an elaborate meeting with all the pharmaceutical units at Verna.
“They have been told to follow all the safety measures and the SOP framed by the central government”, she said.
This clearly indicated that pharmaceutical units were not following the SOP while Verna Industries Association has laid down the SOP meticulously.
Goa Small Industries Association President Damodar Kochkar told goanews.com that the SOP framed by them is followed by most of the industries, though he also admitted that some big pharma units were not following it.
As per VIE’s SOP, no worker from containment zone is allowed in the Industrial Estate.
However, they are planning to allow them to resume duties provided they are tested negative and they live in the company premises.
In addition, the industries are told to isolate all the workers if their colleague on that particular shift is tested positive and they are quarantined in the Estate or nearby hotels till their reports come.
The Association has also set up a kiosk for Covid testing so that employees sensing Covid symptoms can immediately get themselves tested.
In spite of all the precautions taken at the initiative of Goan industrialists, Verna Industrial Estate is becoming a hotspot, simply because some of the big pharma units like Tulip and Cipla are simply refusing to implement the SOP laid down by the Centre as well as the Verna Industries Association.
is this goa which was doing well at start of covid 19.lets hope for good in cnming days.
We are pretty good at 'the blame game' here in Goa.
Pointing finger at this stage... really childish.
Given the infective nature of the virus it definitely points to a gross failure of the overall system. Authorities need to identify and gear up for damage control ASAP!
Kumbharjuve ? ! ? ! Oh... I think you mean Combarjua. You are requested to kindly make a note of this for future reference and not "Ghanttify" the names of our beautiful villages.
Glad to read: Carambolim and not Karmali as the Ghanttis in the Konkan Railway have "modified" it.
complete lockdown is the only solution
Else u just see after two months our situaton will be worst than delhi
Kindly note the Name of the Place is Marcela. Not Mashel.
Annsley , Marcela | 11 TH JULY 2020 06:22 IST
Says who? WFAU to decide or declare? Must be another Portuguese boot licker. They have gone but left you behind.
Kindly note the Name of the Place is Marcela. Not Mashel.
Kumbharjuve ? ! ? ! Oh... I think you mean Combarjua. You are requested to kindly make a note of this for future reference and not "Ghanttify" the names of our beautiful villages.
Glad to read: Carambolim and not Karmali as the Ghanttis in the Konkan Railway have "modified" it.
Aniceto F.M.Florindo , Mapusa | 15 TH JULY 2020 13:31 IST
--In which world are living?? Do you know the etymology or the origin of these village names. Learn some history and you will find the answers. Kumbharjuve was once famous for pottery, therefore the name Kumbhar (potter) Juve (island). Next time you 'poop' through your mouth try and think hard. If possible contextualize before jumping the gun. You and your -ilks are the 'super-portugez-ghatis', the turd residue left behind by the rowdy 'pakles'.