How Kerala's rock star health minister - Ex science teacher- helped save it from Covid-19 | The Guardian
A must read article on how a far poorer state (pop 33 mill) handles CV19 far better than the U.K. or USA.
Time for humility here theguardian.com/world/2020/may…
A must read article on how a far poorer state (pop 33 mill) handles CV19 far better than the U.K. or USA.
Time for humility here theguardian.com/world/2020/may…
Kerala, historically, despite its relative poverty, invests heavily in both education and public health.
She turned to her medically trained colleagues for advice. They followed the WHO Mantra (despite limited access to test and ventilators) of test, trace, isolate, support.
She turned to her medically trained colleagues for advice. They followed the WHO Mantra (despite limited access to test and ventilators) of test, trace, isolate, support.
Appreciating the likelihood of incoming threat they set up a central command centre on 24 Jan and gave instruction to 14 regional medical departments.
So when the plane from China arrived carrying passengers they checked their temperatures. 3 were removed to an isolation ward.
So when the plane from China arrived carrying passengers they checked their temperatures. 3 were removed to an isolation ward.
The rest were placed on home quarantine and given explanatory leaflets in their own language.
The three in hospital tested positive.
The virus was contained.
The three in hospital tested positive.
The virus was contained.
But late February a returning Malayali family flying in from Venice were evasive about their travel history and avoided controls.
By the time they were tracked down they had spread the virus to six people. All contacts (hundreds) were traced and isolated.
Rinse and repeat.
By the time they were tracked down they had spread the virus to six people. All contacts (hundreds) were traced and isolated.
Rinse and repeat.
At the height of the virus with returning workers carrying the virus, 170k people were quarantined and placed under strict surveillance by visiting health workers. If necessary housed in Government isolation units at the state’s expense.
They had accommodated & fed 150k migrant workers.
This, in a State far poorer than ours or America.
She had learnt from a deadly Nipah outbreak in 2018 how to deal with a virus with no vaccine/no cure.
She understood non-pharmaceutical interventions worked.
And how to educate
This, in a State far poorer than ours or America.
She had learnt from a deadly Nipah outbreak in 2018 how to deal with a virus with no vaccine/no cure.
She understood non-pharmaceutical interventions worked.
And how to educate
Kerala has the highest life expectancy, lowest infant mortality in all of India, investing heavily in literacy and education and also capping how much land a family could own.
Every village has its own primary health centre.
10 medical colleges.
Primary health centres.
Every village has its own primary health centre.
10 medical colleges.
Primary health centres.
One pre pandemic investment was creating clinics and a registry for respiratory disorders, so it provided a structure for tracing community transmission of COVID.
They devoted 2 hospitals to COVID and each medical college set aside 400 beds as well.
They devoted 2 hospitals to COVID and each medical college set aside 400 beds as well.
Despite shortage of kits, they managed to test symptomatic and close contacts and some random sampling of asymptomatic people plus those in the most exposed groups, health workers and police.
Test results are back within 48 hours. Obvious. Quick turn around -Infectious Disease
Test results are back within 48 hours. Obvious. Quick turn around -Infectious Disease
No wonder she looks on with astonishment at the U.K. and USA with the 7 day delays in results.
In the U.K. yesterday there was nearly a 700k shortfall between the number of “tests” the Gov claimed and the people tested.
How old is the oldest claimed “test”?
In the U.K. yesterday there was nearly a 700k shortfall between the number of “tests” the Gov claimed and the people tested.
How old is the oldest claimed “test”?
In common with other Asian countries who have successfully contained the virus they rely heavily if test, trace and, as you can see, they take isolation very seriously - not just a word of advice plus hope and a wing & a prayer.
Where are our compliance scouts?
Germany has them
Where are our compliance scouts?
Germany has them
The Kerala Gov avoided possible points of conflict experienced elsewhere by consulting with religious leaders.
And are they ready for a second wave with lockdown lifted.
Yes. Yes they are. Plans A, B and C.
Upping contact tracing using teachers
Her tip? “Proper Planning”
And are they ready for a second wave with lockdown lifted.
Yes. Yes they are. Plans A, B and C.
Upping contact tracing using teachers
Her tip? “Proper Planning”
Her in the U.K. Brexit has created a nation at war with itself.
The extended and continuing lies and recklessness has embedded deep mistrust in those with political power.
Arrogance and poor planning have been a toxic mix in the handling of CV19.
The extended and continuing lies and recklessness has embedded deep mistrust in those with political power.
Arrogance and poor planning have been a toxic mix in the handling of CV19.
Without doubt this has led to needless loss of tens of thousands of lives.
A very British version of “a fantastic success”.
Calamity dressed up in a tattered Union Jack that has been torn asunder.
A very British version of “a fantastic success”.
Calamity dressed up in a tattered Union Jack that has been torn asunder.
Even poorer Africa is doing better.
Get in quick. Organise test trace and isolate. They know how to do it and they know the consequences of failing through bitter experience.
Basic but effective public health
Get in quick. Organise test trace and isolate. They know how to do it and they know the consequences of failing through bitter experience.
Basic but effective public health
