It has now been established that ruthless containment is the only way to beat COVID-19. On March 19, when six cases of COVID-19 were reported in Bhilwara district, we were left with no option but to declare a curfew.
There was a clear and present danger of Bhilwara entering the community transmission stage. The Brijesh Bangar Memorial Hospital in the city had become the epicentre of COVID-19 cases. Doctors and other health care workers had tested positive. The doctors had seen around 7,000 to 8,000 patients in the hospital, and possibly as many at their home clinics—and there was no record of the second set of patients. So, we estimated that at least 15,000 to 20,000 people had had direct contact with the hospital staff. If we had allowed people to move around and leave the district, we would have seen community transmission not only in Bhilwara, but also in other districts of Rajasthan and beyond state lines.
The borders of Bhilwara were sealed for private vehicles. Trains passed through, but did not stop in the district. Bus services were not allowed to function. Instructions were given to close all establishments employing more than 10 people. So, everything from industries to offices and brick kilns were shut down.
Initially, as the number of cases rose and Bhilwara accounted for majority of the cases in Rajasthan, it was extremely stressful for us. Bhilwara was being described as the Wuhan and Italy of Rajasthan. And, it was not a wrong assessment. The doctors at the Bangar Hospital had seen thousands of patients, and we had no means of tracking them down. My team and I did not go home for around a week as we rolled out containment measures.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock