Robust testing must: Expert
This pandemic has some similarities with HIV/AIDS: Top bureaucrat
An expert who has formerly worked for the prevention of HIV/AIDS suggests that there has to be more testing so that the spread of the Coronavirus can be stopped.
From December 2006 to May 2008, the Andhra Pradesh Aids Control Society (APSACS) of undivided AP came up with a massive testing campaign following which the number of HIV positive people shot up from five lakh to 24 lakh.
G. Asok Kumar, additional secretary, who was project director of APSACS at that time, said that though the route of transmission of Covid-19 is different, this pandemic also has some similarities with HIV/AIDS.
Mr Kumar, currently mission director at the National Water Mission of the Union ministry of Jal Shakti, said five steps should be part of the strategy the government has to adopt: testing, tracing, isolating, treating and fighting stigma/discrimination. While tracking the virus, counselling and confidentiality should be given, he said.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr Kumar mentioned how South Korea was able to control the pandemic only by massive testing. He suggested that the government can go with pooling five to 10 people in one bundle. If the person tests positive, all the individuals from that bundle should be tested. This saves time and costs.
The APSACS campaign, titled ‘Be Bold’, was adopted by many African countries to control AIDS. UNAID considered this as the most successful and effective campaign.
Excerpts from a brief interview:
What do you suggest for controlling this Covid-19 pandemic?
Increasing awareness and testing, and motivating people to behave responsibly based on the results are crucial in the fight against Covid-19. Also, considering the fact that social distancing is the best form of prevention, a public movement like ‘Be Bold’ could be a medium to target individuals and make them responsible for themselves.
Where will the next wave of Covid-19 unfold?
The wine shops. We have seen uncontrollable crowds, without any social distancing norms. The government should have adopted the door delivery policy for alcohol. The migrants have to be closely monitored, as they live 10 people in a room.
Should the government extend the lockdown to control this epidemic from spreading further?
Extension of lockdown will not serve the purpose at this point. One is economic crisis and people should develop immunity to this virus.
Strategically, lockdown should be lifted. There are more than 80 per cent more asymptomatic people moving around than the Covid-19 positives the government is projecting.