As India reopens, we need more tests, infra

As coronavirus figures skyrocket in India amid reports of a second wave sweeping much of mainland Europe, comes renewed confirmation of bad news that SARS- CoV- 2 reinfections are real. The official caseload, meanwhile, has surpassed the 5.5 million mark. vaccine, while it is only going to be seasonal, is still several months away and, by all estimates, will take longer to reach every ordinary citizen.

But the economy, which has taken the worst hit in recorded history, must now be opened at all costs. It will take a minimum of two months to restore it to its pre- Covid health, a report by a committee headed by former Reserve Bank of India ( RBI) governor C. Rangarajan, advising the Tamil Nadu government on medium- term measures, has suggested, and the Centre is certainly seen implementing what it has somewhat cheesily dubbed Unlock 4.0 with older students returning to school in parts of the country, international flights beginning to operate in air bubble arrangements and Taj Mahal accepting visitors. The ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, however, has been unfortunately curtailed by several days, jeopardising important legislative decisions.

Autumn’s lower temperatures plus the reopening will undoubtedly bring on the second wave of coronavirus in India. The crisis seems to be unfolding here in a worse manner than we could have imagined, with the virus having reached the rural heartlands. Experts suggest that the Covid- 19 pandemic will peak at different rates in different regions of the country. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh currently have the most infections; of these the last three states experienced late surges. Hence, a renewed urgency for health infrastructure, doctors, drugs, ventilators and a prompter and more localised administrative response coordinated by state governments and effectively bolstered by central funds and support is the absolute need of the hour. Of these, drug manufacture is our area of strength and we have done some good work on the count of expanding laboratory and testing infrastructure.

The Delhi high court on Tuesday stayed the Delhi government’s September 13 order making it mandatory for 33 private hospitals in the city to reserve 80 per cent of their Intensive Care Unit ( ICU) beds as prima facie violative of fundamental rights. It is a welcome ruling. Most coronavirus patients improve with administration of palliatives and home isolation is sufficient to contain the disease. That is indeed a silver lining. India has topped the world both in the daily infection rate as well as number of recoveries. Health workers have put their shoulder to the wheel and are working heroically against odds.

If only these odds were fewer in number. The governments — state and Centre — have no choice but to perform or face electoral ire.

Drug manufacture is our area of strength and we have done some good work on the count of expanding laboratory and testing infrastructure