Chhattisgarh has one of the best recovery rates from Coronavirus on account of the steps taken by the State government
COVID-19 is steadily spreading its wings in India with cases near 20,000 throughout the nation and 640 fatalities reported as of April 22. Chhattisgarh has made its own mark by setting up an inspirational model for other states to combat the virus. The state is receiving appreciation from the centre and world leaders for the way the situation was tackled and managed.
Chhattisgarh, a heavily forested state with a majority of tribal population, narrates a tale of perseverance and tactful management of the pandemic. Total of 36 cases reported in the state by now, out of which 23 recovered, zero fatalities and 13 active patients undergoing treatment in AIIMS, Raipur. The state accounts for as little than 0.266 per cent of share in COVID-19 cases across India and a recovery rate of 63.88 per cent as of April 17. The question is how did they prevent the spread in such an effective manner with speedy recovery rates and not even a single death? Was it due to the proactive measures formulated by the state government or the doctors at AIIMS, Raipur, who were working around the clock to treat their patients? Was it about the discipline exercised by the public or because of the public administration and police working endlessly to ensure and implement regulatory measures? Was it because of the sanitation workers ensuring hygiene and cleanliness every day or maybe the lab experts who were constantly engaged in collecting test samples, knocking from one door to the other? Well, the credit goes to joint efforts laid down by all of them.
The state worked recklessly with an agenda of early protection, early identification, early diagnosis and early isolation. Even before the identification of the first case in the state, continuous monitoring, strict social distancing norms, border sealing with other states were ensured. Chhattisgarh has successfully implemented a ruthless containment strategy by exercising a strict lockdown since March 20, with the identification of the first case of a 24-year-old woman who returned from the UK. A total of 5,519 samples have been tested by now, out of which 4,878 samples are negative, while testing of 208 samples is currently underway.
Of the 36 cases reported in C G, Katghora in Korba district emerged as a hotspot in the state and accounted for 27 cases, followed by five cases in Raipur. Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Durg and Korba each reporting just one case. Twenty three districts of Chhattisgarh have remained completely untouched. As soon as the first case of a 16-year-old boy from Purani Basti area in Katghora tested positive, the entire area was sealed immediately and tests were conducted for every person in the village. Contacts were traced and masks were made mandatory.
The health infrastructure was made stronger and capable enough to deal with the crisis. AIIMS was fully equipped and prepared to deal with any sort of emergency. Providing license to three distilleries for industrial manufacturing of alcohol based hand sanitiser, increasing the service period of 401 contract-based Ayurveda physicians, distribution of free masks were some early preventive measures undertaken by the state government.
Majority of cases in the state fall under the age group of 20 to 40. The major reason behind having a better recovery rate is also early detection of the cases. Most of the patients started receiving treatment in the early stages of their infection, which is why they responded well.
To control panic buying among people and to prevent over crowding in grocery stores, 70 kg lump sum rice for two months was distributed to 65.35 lakh families, ensuring no one sleeps empty stomach. Additionally, disinfectants were sprayed via drones and helpline number was established.