Panaji: Sixty-six passengers on the Cordelia cruise ship tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. The Goa government would decide whether to allow disembarking of passengers from the ship. 

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, "Out of 2000 samples tested from Cordelia cruise ship, 66 passengers tested positive for COVID19. The authorities will decide whether to allow disembarking of passengers from the ship."  

"I will be discussing with the Hon'ble CM Pramod Sawant on the further course of action," said the minister. 

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Aout new cases of Omicron in the coastal state, Rane  said, "Few samples that were sent to NIV Pune for genome sequencing have confirmed 4 more cases of Omicron in the state of Goa. 1 patient is from within the state of Goa, with no travel history, indicating indigenous spread which needs to be further examined."

Earlier,  the minister attended the task force committee meeting chaired by the chief minister along with expert committee members to discuss plans of action to curb the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state of Goa.

The committee deliberated on various ways to ensure not to take any knee-jerk decisions and ensure that citizens, as well as tourists coming to Goa, are safe. Given the spike in other states, the appropriate measure will be taken in sync with the overall guidelines of the Government of India.