Mumbai: A day after the Maharashtra government announced extension of the lockdown, the Minister of Public Health Rajesh Tope has said the focus is now on tracing and testing to avoid the further spread of the pandemic. In an exclusive interview with the FPJ, Tope spelt out the government's strategy.
Q: It will be five weeks on Monday after the first positive case of COVID-19 was detected in the State. The number is rapidly rising. What is your view?
A: Yes it is true the positive count is increasing. It will rise daily by at least 200 cases as per our assessment till April 22.
This is largely because the government has undertaken a massive tracing and testing drive across the state. More than 33,000 tests, of which there are 19,000 in Mumbai alone, have been completed, wherein over 1895 were found to be positive.
But you must understand that of the 33,000 more than 28,500 are also negative. In view of the increase in tests, the government expects the number will start falling after April 22.
Of the total number of COVID-19 patients in the state, 70 per cent are "asymptomatic", 25 per cent "mild symptomatic" while the remaining 5 per cent are "critical". The cumulative daily growth (of number of COVID-19 patients) is about 13 per cent, while the death rate is 5.5 per cent.
Q: Can you please explain what is pool testing? Will the government launch it in the state?
A: Let me first tell you that the government has already enhanced testing facilities across the state.
As far as pool testing is concerned, it has been used extensively in the US which is one of the most affected countries. I had a detailed video conference with three doctors in the US to understand how pool testing is done and how it can be implemented in Maharashtra.
A pool testing method involves putting multiple swab samples in a test tube and testing them using a single RT-PCR test. So, if the test is negative, all the people tested are negative. If the test is positive, all persons are tested individually.
This method can greatly enhance the capacity to test in a low-resources setting, as RT-PCR test is reliable but not scalable. It takes six hours to get the report of RT-PCR test but in pool testing the time taken is less. It also means a saving of testing kits, energy and expenditure.
The state government has sought the approval of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for pool testing. Once the nod comes, Maharashtra will be the first to launch pool testing which can subsequently be implemented across the country.
Q: How has the government classified the country into zones to facilitate the fight against the pandemic?
A: Districts have been given a colour code and accordingly divided into red, orange and green zones on the basis of the incidence of coronavirus in that area. So, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Pune will fall in the "red zone," as they have reported 91 per cent of the positive cases detected thus far. Orange zone will cover areas where 15 or less number of cases have been reported.
The green zone will cover districts which have reported negligible or one case. The government will issue the detailed guidelines with regard to such zones in a day or two. Though the government has extended the lockdown in the state, the guidelines will allow certain activities by keeping boundaries of the districts which fall in the green zones sealed.
Q: You have warned that the lockdown may be extended beyond April 30. Is it true?
A: Let me clarify that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that the government has extended the lockdown ''minimum'' up to April 30.
This means the government expects people to strictly observe discipline and follow lockdown norms. If people take the lockdown lightly then in that case there will be no other alternative but to extend it fur.
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