I live in a serene remote village in Kerala, India. Most of work happens remotely for a while now -- self isolation to avoid much contact. The time was being used in doing some minor volunteering for Government on the technical side.
(source : https://dashboard.kerala.gov.in/ )
The first case in Kerala, India was reported on January 30th 2020, yes, 2+ months ago.
I am proud and well, a little surprised to see the work the Kerala state government and the Health Minister Shailaja teacher has managed to perform this time. During the 2018 flood itself behind the screens they might have worked hard to prevent the spread of epidemics. Their experience as a team and a department was further refined with the 2019 flood.
The Nipah outbreak, 2018
The recent reemergence of Nipah virus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae caused 17 case fatalities among the 19 infected patients (89% mortality) in Kozhikode (Calicut), a city in the state of Kerala, South India.
quote from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6069317/
The outbreak of unknown origin caused panic but the health department of the state contained the situation and the epidemic was not spread to any other nearby localities. Unlike Covid-19 the mortality rate was extremely high.
We also saw yet another flood in 2019. Needless to say, the government machinery was well oiled to handled the the covid-19 outbreak.
Patient 0
The first patient was a medical student from Wuhan itself. She was tested positive and the health department was quick to act. The patient was isolated and everyone in contact was also identified. Every district was high alert and they started preparing so called route maps of patients.
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This approach combined with the effort from the local self governing body staff, lets call the grass root level staff and Primary Health Centers has helpful identifying people who came in contact. It may sound believable but this tiny state with a population of 30 million had already put close to 100K people in self quarantine and isolation at home. By the time Government of India announced lock down, we had identified major hotspots and patients.
Unhappy moments
The situation with tourists where unfortunately pretty bad. Those who were left behind struggled to get accommodation. There were also cases of elder tourists who later tested positive trying to leave the state against the guidelines put forth by the administration. It might have been very very traumatic for those elderly people to be first trying break the guidelines and then being asked to un board the train.
The news sources like Guardian said, the elders are kept in inhuman, unhygienic conditions in government hospitals.
The families of six elderly Britons who tested positive for coronavirus were “shocked” at the lack of action by the Foreign Office and urged officials to move their relations from the “unsanitary and dangerous” conditions in a hospital in Kerala.
In an open letter to Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, they wrote: “Day by day we are increasingly concerned for their physical and mental wellbeing, while our anxiety has been heightened by your department’s lack of initiative.
While I am sympathetic and understand the trauma, they are in the best possible hands. I personally know this hospital and this may not be the five star private hospital, but its definitely going to save the lives of those people if its humanly possible. Some of the inmates are already tested negative after being administered HIV medicines.
The doctors in Kalamassery Medical College, Ernakulam, used Ritonavir and Lopinavir to treat a British national who tested positive for the coronavirus. This can be a major step in the coronavirus treatment and hopefully more patients can be given these drugs to achieve faster recoveries from the deadly virus.
The current scenario
There are 100,000 beds ready and more beds are getting ready. We are 3D printing ventilators and performing all necessary means to prepare for the worst. It seems we are nearly away from community spread in many areas. Hotspots are identified and 150,000 people are in self isolation.
Lockdown impact
The country wide lock down was a brave step by the government. Where I live attempts were taken to make sure that everyone has essential items home delivered. Community kitchens in place for those who cannot afford to stay at home and have a meal. There are cases of people struggling, breaking lock down etc, but it has definately helped in breaking the chain and prevent the spread of the pandemic.
What is next ?
A systematic lift of the lock down by bringing back essential services will the next step. This needs approval from the State and National Disaster management authorities.
Overall it looks like we are on the right track to flatten the curve and where by the hospital and the health care system will not get to its knees by patients. I hope this remains that way.
Thank you for the update. It has been a long time since I traveled in Kerala, but it is absolutely my favorite Indian state. Such a kind and welcoming place. I'm sure everyone is doing their best to care for others. Glad you got things contained so quickly. Be well.
Thank you for the kind words. I didn't knew or had forgotten about your kerala visit :) Anyways, at this point in time, what is essential is to stay healthy to come out of an unfortunate infection. bell well, keep safe !
Kerala is doing great. I'm really proud of our machinary.
late reply here - We got "lucky" to have 2 floods and one Nipah !