Lockdown helped flatten COVID-19 curve in India: NITI Aayog member

As India enters the fourth week of lockdown, primarily enforced to maintain social distancing to decelerate the spread of COVID-19, NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul says the exercise has paid off as it has helped the country in flattening the coronavirus curve.

In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express on Wednesday (April 22), Paul said since April 5 and 6, the effects of the nationwide lockdown on flattening the outbreak’s curve have become evident.

“The doubling time now is close to every eight days, and there is more to come. We can expect it to drop to every 10 days in the next few days. Because the lockdown continues up to May 3, we also expect further dampening of the curve well into mid-May,” he said.

He, however, said the trajectory of the virus’ spread after May is completely based on the pace of lockdown-easing across the country. He said the virus transmission should be under check ensuring no new peaks appear.

Despite the improvement, he however, maintained that the pandemic can be considered “extinguished” only when it subsides worldwide.

Talking about the COVID-19 testing in India, he said India’s testing strategy has been calibrated and pragmatic. “ICMR has scaled up our testing capability through a large laboratory network very rapidly, and engaged the private sector as well,” he said.

As of now, there are 201 government and 86 designated private laboratories in the country.

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The NITI Aayog member said the government will refine the testing strategy depending on the situation. So far, India has tested as many as 3.6 lakh individuals and daily testing number has now reached 35,000.

Throwing light on healthcare facilities in rural areas, he said the awareness about disease-prevention and life-saving practices in the rural heartland is huge. “Access to healthcare and referral linkages are being strengthened. Participation of self-help groups and Panchayati Raj Institutions in this regard is laudable”, he said.

Talking about vaccines for the viral infection, he said that at least four Indian firms are currently collaborating on foreign partners for research and development of SARS-COV-2 vaccines. While a BCG vaccine trial will happen soon, an empowered task force is working to develop an “indigenous vaccine” in the near future, he said.