COVID-19 positive cases in Nagaland is rising each day as results of samples tested at the state’s first and presently only Bio Safety Laboratory-3 continue the herculean task of testing all of the 1463 returnees from Chennai who arrived Nagaland on May 22.
On Sunday, test results of the swab samples, confirmed that seven were positive for COVID-19 and taking the total COVID-19 cases in Nagaland to 43.
Informed sources believe that transmission of the virus could have taken place during the journey from Chennai on May 19 and the source(s) had high viral load. Viral load, relates to the number of viral particles being carried by an infected individual and shed into their environment.
There was also no social distancing in the train that brought several thousand returnees belonging to Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur etc. To put matters in perspective on COVID-19 pandemic, that has arrived and will remain for as many years, NE8 (YouTube channel) interviewed Dr. Tina who is heading the BSL3 set up in NHAK.
According to Dr. Tina, now that COVID-19 has made its presence, there was urgent need to prevent community transmission at all cost. If community spread takes place then it would be a catastrophe, particular in most far flung districts where the health care facilities were woefully inadequate to handle the virus.
As a measure to contain the virus, she said institutional quarantine period should be for a total of 28 days- first 14 days during which testing is done and then second testing during the next 14 days. However, since the virus can survive for 37 days within the body, she felt that the total number of days can be for 40 days.
It may be mentioned that Kerala, which has been successful in containing COVID-19 extended quarantine period to 28 days. It was done after it was found that those returnees from abroad were asymptomatic for a long time and tested positive much after their quarantine period ended.
According to a virologist, the most important lesson that should be learnt was that even asymptomatic people can spread the virus – beyond 14 days. Dr. Tina was candid to suggest that all decisions should be based on sound medical and scientific basis. Dr. Tina suggested short and long term strategies including counselling for the COVID-19 patients and their families.
Expounding on the short term strategy, Dr. Tina suggested the following: 1. As necessary precaution, all returnees from Chennai be treated as COVID-19 positive as low viral load was not easily detected; 2. Ensure that all health workers and supporting staff at various quarantine centres and hospitals be given adequate support; 3. Strict social distancing should be enforced at all quarantine centres; 4. Returnees should not be packed inside buses together;
5. Community spread should be prevented; 6. Alternate days for shopping in each city or town be arranged to prevent shopping rush and traffic jams; 7. Consider outsourcing management of quarantine centres to reputed NGOs and 8. Provide counselling for returnees especially those tested positive for COVID-19.
The long term strategy that Dr. Tina suggested were: 1. Need to seriously consider a long and broad based strategy to contain COVID-19; 2. Forming a scientific body for implementing strategy on COVID-19 and 3. To avoid ad-hoc planning and pandering to public pressure lobbies.