I am a gastroenterologist based at Bhubaneswar being associated with the World health Organisation on eradication of hepatitis, also on prevention of Corona infection. Together we can win the war against the invisible enemy, the COVID-19 epidemic.
Odisha has the great potential for disaster management; it sets its own benchmark in front of the world. This time also our State will be on the frontline in managing this outbreak.
Acting fast was the most important decision South Korea made, early detection and isolation were the most important strategies to prevent transmission of infection. Early detection paid off for Singapore. The country was one of the quickest to identify cases. Lockdown and social distancing have been used to halt the transmission of the corona virus in China.
If we analyze the Bhilwara model to curb the spread of new coronavirus in areas that have been identified as hotspots, aggressive containment measures taken by the district administration limited the spread of the virus. Effective implementation of the curfew, sealing the borders of containment zones and ensuring zero vehicular movement, identifying potential clusters and carrying out intensive mapping of contacts, besides isolating high-risk people and collecting samples for tests quickly and massive screening exercise covering the entire population to detect influenza-like symptoms were some of the drastic measures. Kerala: Its involvement of community at a large is standing it in good stead as it leads the fight against the coronavirus.
Odisha should have its own model to contain the infection with its experience in managing different disasters very effectively. The State is in lockdown till this month end, but we all are not doing the way the Government wants. If every one of us is not supporting the State initiatives, it is definite we are going to lose the war.
The most important is awareness; people must understand the importance of these strict measures to curb the infection. This is the question of life and death, saving own life, others life, saving the State and saving the humanity. Community leaders, religious gurus must be involved to make people understand the seriousness of the problem. Unwanted social elements should face legal action.
The State should come up with the Odisha Corona App, to provide information about Corona infection, strategies implemented, and also to involve people, get their views and suggestions.
The Government machinery must involve the people of Odisha as community leaders, volunteers, different NGOs, people from private organizations to work for the State; they and their family should be safeguarded. During shutdown, the State Government with the local volunteers should design a system to provide every essential things, also the healthcare support. If this is done, people will not venture out and spread the infection.
Every households to be screened of suspected Covid infection in a cyclical manner. People should come forward to help the team in providing correct information. Those with suspected infection, should be quarantined and test to be done immediately. If found positive, they need to be shifted to isolation and aggressive contact tracing must be done. The contacts are to be tested and the measures to be followed.