Q/ The decline in Covid-19 cases is being attributed to our innate immunity and a young demographic, among other factors. How do you assess this decline?
A/ In India, we have maintained a 5T strategy— testing, tracking, tracing, treating and technology. Our testing has been aggressive, and similar work has been done for oxygen, PPE kits and masks, by the ministries of health, science and technology, textiles and others. From day one, we have been serious about the pandemic. A practical and systematic lockdown when cases were only [in the hundreds] has helped. Other ‘mysterious’ factors behind the lower number of active cases and deaths include perhaps a better innate immunity, the hygiene hypothesis and the BCG hypothesis (that the BCG vaccine, which is part of India's universal immunisation programme, could have helped against Covid-19). I would still consider our dramatic, concerted, preemptive, proactive, innovative and calibrated efforts as the reason behind this decline.
Q/ You spoke about testing, which was a serious challenge. How was that tackled?
This story is from the March 28, 2021 edition of THE WEEK.
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This story is from the March 28, 2021 edition of THE WEEK.
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