Coronavirus infection in Odisha, like elsewhere, in the country is spreading at an alarming rate with scare and suspicion writ large. Normal life has been disrupted and livelihoods seriously hit. Dr Manoj Kumar Sahu, Gastroenterology, answers some of the basic questions over the disease.

1) What is the present scenario in Odisha?

Till May end, there were 2,104 cases, June (5,212) and by July, the number was 28 26,113 (78% of total cases) . The infection is increasing exponentially and showing its true nature.

2) Why are the positive cases showing an increasing trend ?

As we are doing more tests the number is increasing , this is not completely true. If you see the proportion of increase in cases, it is much more than the increase in tests; so  the truth is, there are many active cases and the infection is spreading at a rapid pace.

3) Are we doing enough testing?

Delhi is doing more than 25,000 tests in a day, resulting in a downward infection trend. Odisha's population is 2.5 times of Delhi. Presently, we do more than 14,000 tests a day. Our test positivity rate is more than 10 per cent which clearly depicts that the infection is spreading significantly. India is doing more than 6 lakh tests a day, and increasing it to 10 lakh a day,  resulting in declining positivity rate to 9 per cent from 13 per cent last week. Kerala, Assam population is much less than Odisha, still  they do  more tests. The aim is to keep the positivity rate below 5 per cent. It is only possible if we sincerely search for infection and do aggressive testing. As India is indigenously producing the kits in sufficient number, we need to increase the tests significantly and the testing facilities should be available liberally and wide spread.

4) Have we reached community transmission?

When no source of infection is identified in more than 20 per cent of positive cases, then we are in community transmission stage. The local cases are increasing and constitute more than 38 per cent of total, but we are able to trace the source of infection in more than 80 per cent of cases.

5) Is plasma therapy the effective solution till the vaccine is developed ?

Plasma therapy has been used since more than 100 years for various infectious diseases with mixed results . In Corona infection it is recommended for patients with moderate symptoms on oxygen and deteriorating in spite of Dexamethasone. Plasma therapy is not for all critically ill patients, but it is found to be very effective in selective groups. Plasma donation is an extremely safe procedure, those who have recovered should come forward with noble intention and save many lives .

6) When will vaccine be available?

Currently more than 160 vaccines are being researched across the globe, 26 entered into human trials, 4 in the 3rd or final phase of the trial . Oxford vaccine is the front runner, and Serum Institute of India has taken the responsibility of mass production and distribution . Moderna vaccine has started the large final stage trial on 30,000 volunteers. Two of our indigenous vaccine candidates (Covaxin and Zycov-D) have started the phase I human trial. If everything goes in the right path and the vaccine is found to be safe and effective, it is expected towards the year end or first quarter of the coming year. But the way the infection is spreading, if not controlled, there may not be many takers for the vaccine when it is available.

7) Five different strains/ clades  of Corona virus in Odisha found. Should we be worried?

This will not affect treatment and the vaccine development, but these strains might spread rapidly. We need to control the infection.

8) What should be the strategy for Odisha?

We are in the right direction. Surveillance , testing , tracing , treating , strengthening infrastructure need to continue effectively door to door. We have to increase the number of tests significantly, there should be wide spread and easy availability of testing facilities. The community participation and cooperation of people is extremely important to win the war .There should not be any stigmata associated with corona infection, the infected people and those who were cured of Covid- 19 must be treated with empathy. The non Covid health issues must be taken care of simultaneously by  tele -  consultation facility in every hospital and by mobile doorstep healthcare like Danvantari Rath as in Ahmedabad.  

(The writer is a senior doctor gastroenterology. Mob: 8384886518)