Kerala:- Using Tech To Combat Covid-19

Kerala’s efforts in addressing the pandemic started early in January 2020 by capitalising on its experience of tackling Nipah Virus. The state’s efforts were backed by a
 robust healthcare system and efficient officials, who have worked tirelessly to flatten the curve of the pandemic. In addition to officials and healthcare workers, the citizens of the state followed the guidelines laid down and worked hand-in-hand with the state to mitigate the crisis. 

There have been 485 positive cases reported with four deaths so far. The state was proactive in its approach, and imposed lockdowns in various areas much before the national lockdown was announced. The state’s lockdown, after having India’s Patient Zero case, was far more rigid than the national lockdown, but the necessities of the citizens was never compromised. 

Requirements such as home delivery of groceries were met, migrant labour was looked after and provided shelter. The state established 1,255 community kitchens, provided ration kits and food packets and has endeavoured to keet its citizens fed and looked after. 

The state identified four priority programmes (checking community spread of the infection, insulating frontline workers, home quarantining high-risk category patient and high surveillance) that informed the state guidelines and accordingly measures were taken to combat the virus outbreak. 

A major success was the fact that even before the outbreak was full-blown in nature, the state government was ready with 12 testing facilities for early detection; which ensured swift recovery rate of patients. In fact, Kerala was the first state to use rapid test kits from the Pune-based Mylab to increase its testing capability. 

Further, the state government released route maps of the patients infected with the virus for contact tracing, which helped them identify the contacts in time to curb the spread of the virus. 

The ‘Break the Chain’ campaign launched by the state government saw a lot of appreciation and success. The aim of the campaign was to educate people on the benefits of washing their hands, in order to break the chain of the spread. As a part of this campaign, the government installed taps and provided hand wash sanitisers across public areas.  

The state has embraced technology in its battle against the deadly virus. For example, the Corona Safe Network - an open source public utility designed by a multi-disciplinary team of innovators and
 volunteers, who are working on a model to support the Governments’ efforts with full understanding. 

The strategy is centred around two components — Corona Literacy Mission (spread awareness on the way the virus spreads, precautions to be taken) and the Corona Care Centers (temporary facility created to augment the existing healthcare infrastructure)

A few other examples are the use of robots for delivery of sanitisers etc., mobilephone-based geofencing solutions for effective quarantine. There is a multilingual Covid-19 app for information dissemination and to fight fake news. All this of course, in addition to launch of apps for delivery of essentials.