Three cases on a single day in three different cities is a matter of grave concern. The virus is spreading fast across the world – in over 60 countries and has claimed over 3,100 lives, with over 90,000 infected. India had apparently been spared from it with three cases in Kerala that were cured, while other countries saw increasing cases. Now, as the threat looms large and the country stands exposed to the virus spreading, measures are being taken, but their effectiveness cannot be quickly judged.
The virus that originated in China has reached across the world and India, despite sharing a border with China and having close trade ties had been largely spared. This couldn’t last for long, and the three new cases have led to fears that the virus could spread quickly. This has resulted in a massive exercise to control the spread of the virus, with precautions taken to isolate anybody who may have come in contact with the patients in the few days prior to the infection being noticed. India has reacted quickly, and this far also adequately to the threat that the virus poses.
As of now, two private schools in Noida have been shut for the next few days and several people quarantined or kept in isolation, while regular and e-visas to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan who have not yet entered India have been suspended. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a travel advisory, wherein Indian citizens have been advised to refrain from travel to China and that those travelling to China henceforth will be quarantined on return. Indians have also been advised to refrain from non-essential travel to a few other countries, and those having a history of travel to these countries may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India.
While the high temperatures and humidity in India are not conducive to the spread of the coronavirus, the large population and close confines within which people travel and work are factors that could lead to the virus swelling its reach. Though there are various precautions being taken, which have proved efficacious this far, there stands a question mark on the ability of the health care services in the country to tackle the virus, should there be a sudden spurt in cases. India does not have the best of health care in the world, and only the metros and large cities are capable of dealing with an outbreak. It is the rural areas where there is need to extend the facilities for treatment of the virus.
Precautionary measures in the State have also been put in place. Goa’s health authorities will be screening passengers arriving from 12 countries as per the directions of Union Ministry for Civil Aviation and Ministry of Health. Currently seven persons have been placed in quarantine at home. The State had five suspected cases, but all tested negative for the novel coronavirus. The tourism industry that has not had a good season this far, could take a little dent, as there are a small number of tourists who travel to Goa from a few of the countries that have shown a rise in novel coronavirus cases.
The big relief till now is that Goa has been spared from the virus. That, however, should not lead to there being any relaxation in the measures that have been put in place to tackle it. The State health authorities have responded quickly on all suspected cases, which is reassuring. They just have to continue to be on the alert.
