Panaji, Jul 13 (IANS): Dr. Edwin Gomes, who had emerged as the face of Goa's Covid-19 treatment and care effort, and had served as the in-charge of medication of patients at the state's only designated Covid-19 hospital, has tested positive for the viral infection, a government spokesperson said.

"Dr. Gomes has been admitted to a state government facility for doctors infected by coronavirus," the spokesperson said.

Gomes, 58, is also the head of medicine at the state's only medical college, the Goa Medical College, and had last week ended his unbroken 98-day shift at the designated Covid-19 hospital.

The state currently has more than 900 active Covid-19 cases, with 17 fatalities linked to coronavirus.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that "four to five" Covid-19 patients who died, were suffering from cancer. "Eight to 10 patients were above the age of 80 years, while one also died of liver failure. The death rate has increased due to co-morbid conditions," Sawant told reporters at the State Secretariat.