Preparedness, Response and Assessment of First Phase Lockdown Impact Amid COVID-19 Pandemic – India Scenario

Abstract

The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been created due to the infection by novel coronavirus. Globally, countries have taken measures to reduce social contact to slow down the spread of the virus. Social (physical) distancing via lockdown and awareness on personal hygiene are mitigating measures to prevent transmission of disease. Indian government has implemented the first phase of national lockdown for 21 days (March 24 to April 14, 2020) to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. This study is performed in two stages. First, review of Indian scenario till the end of the first phase of national lockdown and second the impact assessment of the first phase of social lockdown on doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in different Indian states and overall India. The timeline of activities, health care facilities, schemes and services by government and private organizations in combating COVID-19 in India are presented. Analysis is performed using the 3-day moving average daily growth statistical technique. The states are categorized based on the improved doubling rate during third week (Category 1) and second week (Category 2). The overall Indian scenario is analysed to assess the consequences of social lockdown on the transmission rate of the virus. Kerala and Orissa handled the pandemic effectively by drawing lessons from earlier epidemics and disasters. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttara Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra has improved doubling rate during second week of lockdown. The average doubling rate of coronavirus cases in India improved after lockdown, account for 7.5 days compared to 3.4 days before lockdown. Lockdown played a key role in reduction of increasing rate of confirmed cases. The stringent lockdown combined with rapid testing led the nation in yielding positive outcomes. The discussions presented in this article will equip the council’s authorities and regulatory bodies globally in designing the mechanisms for handling present and future epidemics or pandemics.

COVID 19: Sharing Experience of Health and Treatment Diagnosis in India

“…The complete as well as the partial Lockdown, levied by the Central and State Governments enable the society and environment as a whole to recuperate from some man made atrocities such as noise and air pollution [14][15][16]. The quality of air had markedly improved and due to the ban on moving vehicles, there were even a few citing of animals leaving their natural habitat and coming out on the roads.…”

Biomedical Waste: Types, Current Status, Management and Impact on Aquatic Body – A Comprehensive Review

“…Between June and December 2020, India generated a cumulative amount of 32,996 metric tons of COVID-19 waste. In this timeframe, Maharashtra emerged as the leading contributor to the average generation of COVID-19 waste, succeeded by Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi (Andra et al, 2020). Wastes after generation are disposed from the hospital in many ways but ultimately enter into the water body.…”