Panaji, Jun 15 (IANS): If need arises, the Goa government will set-up 'Covid Care Centres' in all 40 constituencies in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday.

Sawant criticised the disturbing trend of Covid-19 positive health workers being treated with hate in some parts of the state.

"Some people are doing politics over the location of our Covid Care Centres. If need arises, Goa may have to set up a Covid Care Centre in each of the 40 constituencies to handle Covid positive persons," Sawant told a function organised at the State Secretariat by the Public Works Department on Monday.

With the number of active Covid-19 cases reaching over 490, the state government has launched a Covid Care Centre initiative, which would house positive cases who are asymptomatic and do not require treatment.

The centres are housed in existing government hospitals or schools, which have been requisitioned for Covid-19 management by the state administration.

In some cases, local politicians have opposed such Centres fearing spread of the dreaded virus in the area.

Symptomatic patients are however admitted to the state's only designated Covid-19 hospital in Margao town in South Goa.

Sawant also urged the people of the state, not to develop hatred for health workers who have tested positive in their line of duty.

"If a health worker has tested positive for Covid, it is not his fault. He is on the frontline working for the state. People should not have hatred towards him, instead we should all be proud of him and his family for the risks they have taken for us," Sawant said.