Panaji, Apr 13 (IANS): All five persons who were cured of COVID-19 in Goa, have volunteered to assist the state government's efforts in creating awareness about the dreaded viral disease, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday.

Sawant also said, that all the five patients would be counselled by government counsellors over phone, in order to resolve their queries and doubts which continue to dog them.

"I spoke to all the five COVID-19 negative patients over the phone today and checked on their families. They are very positive in their outlook... All five have expressed willingness to create awareness among people," Sawant said at a press conference.

"Some need counselling. I have asked Secretary Health ensure their counselling telephonically in order to resolve any pending issues. Someone should continuously guide them," Sawant also said.

The Chief Minister also said, that society should not attach any sort of stigma against them, just because they have suffered from COVID-19.

"Society should not have a stigma towards them. They are like us. COVID-19 is not a permanent ailment," Sawant said.

The state only has two COVID-19 patients currently.

Sawant also said, that there was not a single "direct suspect case" in the state and the 60-odd who were under quarantine were kept in isolation due to Influenza like illness (ILI) Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) symptoms.

"We are doing that just to ensure that we do not take any chances," Sawant said.

The Chief Minister also said, that over 200 state transport corporation buses would be used to ferry government servants to their offices from Wednesday onwards.

He however said that only those government departments which were critical for functioning of the state apparatus were being directed to join office and said that citizens should not visit government offices yet to address their grievances or on routine government-related chores.