Identify and test ‘contacts’ of Covid-19 patients swiftly: Top doctors

March 4, 2020

New Delhi: Top doctors of India, including Naresh Trehan and K.K. Agarwal, are of the view that temporary labs for testing Covid-19 should be set up across the country at a war footing.

Padma Bhushan awardee Trehan told IANS that besides setting up labs, the society, the corporate sector and the government should postpone or cancel all ‘unnecessary events’ and avoid ‘large public gatherings’ for the next two to three weeks, so that the country has enough time and space to contain the deadly virus.

Renowned cardiologist and former President of Indian Medical Association (IMA), K.K. Agarwal, said that though the government’s response to counter the spread of coronavirus in the country was a bit delayed, without any further delay people in the ‘cluster’ should be quickly identified and their contacts should be traced and checked.

“The action has to be very quick and precise. Identify all those who were in contact with those who tested positive for Covid-19. That’s the only alternative left to contain the spread of the virus,” said Agarwal, a recipient of Padma Shri for his contribution to the field of medicine.

On containing the spread of coronavirus in the hinterland, Sandeep Sharma, radiologist and key office bearer in the IMA, said that a massive awareness campaign requires to be launched in Tier II and Tier III cities and all tourist places.

“Anyway, as the temperature will soar in the coming summer season in India, the impact of the virus will reduce,” Sharma said, adding, “Efforts have to be made by the hospitality industry too in notifying foreign tourists who are reportedly seen with symptoms of Covid-19.”

As an urgent precautionary measure, Trehan suggested, “All airports, seaports and international border roads, from where tourists are supposed to enter the Indian territory, need to be screened. The exercise will be effective in controlling the virus from spreading to other places.”

For individuals suspected of suffering from Covid-19, Trehan said if fever and cough continue for days, one must see a doctor. Apart from these, people moving into crowded places like cinemas, malls or metro should wear a mask.

For the state machinery involved in containing the spread of Covid-19, Agarwal said that the best practice is to identify the contacts of every infected patient and isolate them immediately.

“Maximum focus has to be given to those contacted by the infected patients. If this exercise is carried properly, the Covid-19 epidemic could be managed,” Agarwal said. IANS