Our fight against the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic: A review of India's actions and proposed way forward

Abstract

A new strain of coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has overwhelmed the world with its rapid spread and high number of cases. SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19 disease which may present with mild, moderate, or severe illness. In severe cases, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock can occur. Individuals above 60 years and people with preexisting comorbidities are at higher risk for developing serious complications. The incubation period of this new pathogen ranges from 1 to 14 days and there is no preexisting immunity to the disease. Countries across the globe have adopted various prevention and control measures to minimize negative health impacts. India has adopted various public health measures which include social distancing measures, nationwide lockdown to reduce risk of exposure, widespread IEC messaging regarding hand-washing, usage of masks, and recommending avoidance of unnecessary travel to combat the spread of disease. This manuscript reviews the global situation, contextualizes India's disease control efforts, and outlines the possible way forward by identifying specific actions under the following headings: enhancing district preparedness, enabling care for patients, and broadening community and stakeholder engagement for India.

Multistakeholder Participation in Disaster Management—The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The USA used networking as a basic method; and outbreak management and infection control as their strategy. They partnered with multi-layer government, private industries and companies and CSOs (Civil Society Organisation) [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. Malaysia used movement control orders as a method and followed these steps with their strategies including producing more PPE (personal, protective and equipment), fundraising, collaboration with healthcare service providers and inducting additional laboratories.…”

“…India used lockdown as a method and used emergency management and interstate transmission control as strategies to manage the situation. They partnered with multi-layer government, private sector organisations and CSOs [ 56 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ]. Italy used pandemic management as a method and institutional arrangements as their strategy.…”

“…While others made the community be proactive, coordinated the works with clear role clarity, coordinated different policies, shared responsibilities and implemented effective public health measures. Some connected with their stakeholders by establishing mutual trust and through clinical manifestation to manage COVID-19 [ 40 , 45 , 47 , 51 , 56 , 60 , 68 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 ].…”

“…The government should recognise the role of local international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) to the pandemic response and encourage timely provision of medical supplies and hygiene kit to individuals. The government should focus on the provision of social support and care to appropriate communities and vulnerable populations, co-ordination of funding activities and volunteers, R&D in life-saving medical innovations and to Test, Test and Test again the people in order to bring COVID-19 under control [ 40 , 45 , 48 , 51 , 56 , 60 , 68 , 69 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 , 151 ].…”

Effectiveness of lockdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 pandemic during its first wave in India

“…6 Countries across the globe had adopted various prevention and control measures ranging from social distancing and isolation, to shutting down of nonessential services and countrywide lockdowns. 7 Learning the lessons from the developed countries like Spain and Italy, India had put all its machinery and material into motion to curb and/or prevent the disease. What started as one day Janta Curfew on 22 nd March 2020 by the Prime Minister of India and lockdowns by some of the state governments, the entire country was declared to be under lockdown from the midnight of 24.03.2020, (Lockdown, phase-1).…”