Sounding a note of high caution on the spread of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 in India, Dr. Sushila Katarai MD, PG Dip (MLS) who has 23 years of experience in overall Internal Medicine, has said that the virus could see further rise in the coming months and the number could even touch the 10 lakh-mark.
In an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post and North East 8 channel (NE8) on May 26, Dr. Kataria said the problem “could get worse before it gets better”. She emphasised on two strategies in handling the current pandemic- first, flattening the curve, as in lockdown and secondly, raising the bar by optimizing health care system.
Dr. Kataria also said the strategy for home quarantine was medically sound as 80% could be treated at home without burdening the health care system.
She also expressed deep concern that COVID-19 was rising amid public demand for relaxation and government wanting to continue with lockdown. Dr. Kataria said “we are headed for trouble for sure” as the virus has gradually spread from urban to rural areas where health infrastructure was poor.
Dr. Kataria said if sample was not taken properly or if the person has low viral load, then the test could be negative among 20% of people.
She said even if swab tested was positive for COVID after 14 days of quarantine, it was not infectious because the infectious period of the virus was between 10-11 days and
When informed about the current COVID-19 status of Nagaland, Dr. Kataria said since the numbers were small and imported, it should be maintained with proper contact tracing and to keep them in quarantine for 2-3 weeks . She said if possible, all those who are together should be tested-once when they enter and then after two weeks before being released from quarantine. She said a period of three weeks of quarantine was advisable. Dr. Kataria also emphasised that there should be no inter-mixing in the way food was served at quarantine centres and adequate measures while handling waste.