Dr Asangba Tzudir
While the rate of recovery of COVID-19 in Nagaland is marvelously high, a spike of 119 cases in the last two days in Nagaland is a matter of serious concern. What is more concerning is the issue of secondary transmission whereby the fresh cases reported from Peren who were returnees from Chennai had initially tested negative while at quarantine in Dimapur.
While the spread happens at the place of origin or during transit, or in the quarantine centre itself, the trend of secondary transmission is indicative of the fact of spread of Coronavirus at quarantine centre through ‘cross infection.’ The reasons for the secondary transmission and cross infection are attributed to lack of adequate accommodation, and also “disregard for quarantine protocols by returnees. Had there been isolated rooms, maybe cross infection would have been prevented.
Now the last thing which Nagaland does not want is community spread, and this begs the question whether Nagaland can prevent community spread. The prevention of community spread calls for stringent application of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) at the quarantine centres. The fact that there are various factors which can open up the floodgates of community spread calls for tightening up all loose ends at the quarantine centre especially when it is within the control of the state resources.
With limited human resources as well as infrastructure, it will become difficult for Nagaland State if the current rate of spike and the trend of secondary transmission continue for some more days. Although doctors, nurses and healthcare workers have remained silent, they have been silently bearing the problems of inadequacies, and the limit does exist which will become more prominent if more cases of new detection as well as secondary transmissions are reported.
For now, beyond the quarantine centres the attitude towards Coronavirus is like the last sample has tested negative. However, in the event of a community spread which at the moment cannot be ruled out, the whole scenario will turn to panic mode especially if it happens from a nerve centre. Thus, all preventive measures and SOP’s needs to be adopted to prevent the worst happening, and which will be beyond the state control.
On the worldwide, more and more countries are on lockdown and the number of people living in isolation is increasing by the day, even as the question “when will this pandemic be over” rings loud with doubt. While the importance of vaccines in ending the pandemic is undeniable, and which are still likely to be 12-18 months away, a period that is long enough to cause lasting social and economic damage if the lockdown persists. Contrary, some medical experts have warned against relying on vaccines as a strategy for ending the current crisis. Thus, vaccines continue to be thrown between optimism and caution. And this brings back to ground zero of learning the ways and adapting to live with Coronavirus, while at the same time adopting safety measures, and yes, it requires patience.
For now Nagaland seems to be on the edge where the next is community spread. It is not the Coronavirus that will start the spread, but which depends on the patience and a well informed discipline of the people.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
