Panaji, Apr 2 (IANS): Forty eight suspected COVID-19 samples sent by the Goa Health Department to the National Institute of Virology in Pune earlier this week have rested negative, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Thursday.

"All the 48 samples sent to NIV, Pune are reported negative. Goa is united in fighting the menace of COVID19Pandemic under the guidance & support of our CM @DrPramodPSawant," Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said that Goa would be in the "safe zone" if the batch of test samples," one of the largest batches sent by the state to the NIV," tested negative.

Currently, five persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Goa, and according to health authorities their condition is stable.

On Thursday, the state government started a large scale sanitisation drive in public areas like railways stations, bus stands, markets, etc., as a means to halt the spread of COVID-19.