Top US epidemiologist Dr Anthony Fauci

Dr FAUCI ADVISES ANOTHER LOCKDOWN FOR INDIA

Top US epidemiologist Dr Anthony Fauci has called for a total lockdown for a few weeks in India as a step to control the Corona Virus transmission.

“Literally lockdown so that you wind up having less spread...But if you do it just for a few weeks you could have a significant impact on the dynamics of the outbreak,” he said in an interview to the Indian Express newspaper.

Is total lockdown a solution?

Epidemiologists in India are wary of a complete lockdown as it affects livelihoods and a short-term lockdown would not reap long-term gains as cases would go up again after lockdown is lifted.

Dr CN Manjunath, Cardiologist and Director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Bengaluru, told TV9 News that since the pandemic has spread across the country a lockdown is needed.

“Two weeks of lockdown in required to contain the spread which is unprecedented and relentless. We can look at the impact of a two-week lockdown after which it can be extended, if needed.”

The cardiologist also pointed out that many doctors and healthcare workers are getting infected so there is a depletion of manpower.

“Definitely, lockdown is the last option but the over-flooded hospitals need to be decongested. New patients can only be admitted if there is space.”

Address the immediate problem

Dr Fauci warned that the virus has shown that if left to itself without any intervention it will explode and called for addressing the absolute immediate problem.

“Vaccinating people right now, which you absolutely must, must do - it’s essential - is not going to alleviate the immediate problem of people needing oxygen, needing hospitalisation, needing medical care.”

Apart from mounting infections, India also needs to worry about deaths that have increased sharply and more than 3,000 fatalities have been reported in the last four days consecutively.

Dr Manjunath stressed that home isolation also needed to be monitored otherwise the patient’s condition could deteriorate and they may not recover.

“Vaccination drive must continue despite lockdown. This is part of the strategy to bring down deaths apart from providing timely oxygen and medicines. One has to strengthen the home isolation monitoring mechanism, so that the patient can be admitted to a hospital in time,” Dr, Manjunath said.

Lockdowns and restrictions

As India reels from the massive spread and loss of life from the second surge of COVID-19 pandemic, several states of the country have either announced a partial lockdown or stringent restrictions.

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan government has extended the lockdown imposed from April 19 to to May 3 for another 14 days till May 17.

All workplaces, except a few government offices engaged in COVID-19 management, and markets would remain closed, according to the guidelines.

Retail and wholesale shops dealing in essential items will continue to open for five hours from 6 am to 11 am from Monday to Friday .

West Bengal

West Bengal has also entered a partial lockdown with the state government shutting down all shopping malls, salons, restaurants, gyms and swimming pools in the state with immediate effect until further orders.

Market places will be allowed to operate twice every day from 7 am-10 am and 3 pm-5 pm, but social, cultural, academic, entertainment-related gatherings and congregations have been barred.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh entered into a complete lockdown from April 30 till May 4 to contain the transmission of the Corona Virus.

Delhi

Delhi which was under six-day complete lockdown till April 26 has increased the duration to May 10.

Maharashtra

However, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has said that a complete lockdown may be necessary but, “I don't think we will reach that stage,”

Localised lockdowns were imposed in the state’s cities of Amravati and Nagpur. Lockdown-like restrictions came into force in major cities of the state like Mumbai and Pune where shutdowns on weekends continue.

To ramp up the health infrastructure, Defence Minister Rajanth Singh on April 30 gave the armed forces emergency financial powers to establish quarantine facilities and hospitals.

The armed forces can also undertake procurement, repair of equipments, items, besides provisioning of various services.

“This is the time one has to make use of military services because they have been exposed to very good training,” said Dr Manjunath.

But unless people wear proper masks, refrain from gatherings and wash their hands with soap regularly, a risk of resurgence will remain despite lockdown, according to experts.