Nagpur: After declining to 1,500-odd during the Diwali period, the number of Covid-19 tests reached 6,600 on Wednesday and 6,300 on Thursday. Health authorities across the state are not ready to take any chances in view of a bigger second wave of Covid-19 expected before the end of 2020.
After Delhi which is seeing a fresh surge in cases from last week, Ahmedabad too reported a similar trend on Thursday. Maharashtra, state with the highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the country, is being extra cautious.
Sources in the state health department said that the expected second wave could be geographically different, and its intensity might depend on measures taken to check the infection locally.
In Nagpur, additional municipal commissioner Jalaj Sharma told TOI that all testing centres in the city are functioning and all private hospitals designated as Covid-19 hospitals will continue to provide treatment until further notice.
“Centres for RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests are having enough manpower and infrastructure. Hospitals designated for Covid-19 treatment have been asked to maintain the beds reserved as per the earlier protocol,” said Sharma.
Interestingly, about 80% Covid-19 beds in the city hospitals are vacant. Despite Vidarbha Hospitals Association asking for relaxation from Covid-19 treatment, the administration has not given the permission.
Divisional health authorities informed that they are planning more tests, and aggressive contact tracing in the next two weeks. Multiple RT-PCR laboratories are now functional in Nagpur and all district headquarters of Vidarbha.
Government and private labs in Nagpur district can conduct more than 10,000 tests per day and authorities are trying to maintain the number in case the second wave strikes.
As far as Vidarbha is concerned, on an average 5,000 tests are being conducted daily across 10 districts (except Nagpur). As the virus has already spread in rural area, the authorities are now focusing on conducting tests among vegetable vendors, shopkeepers, delivery executives etc.
All Covid-19 tests, both RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests (RAT) are conducted for free in government laboratories. Private labs cannot charge more than the rates fixed by government.
A senior official from department of health services said based on the trends exhibited during the 1918-19 influenza pandemic, and 2009-10 H1N1 pandemic, the authorities must be prepared for at least 18-24 months of Covid-19 activity.
“Covid-19 is expected to remain in circulation among human population and have seasonal pattern with decreased severity just like other less pathogenic coronaviruses,” said the official.
Doctors, after a short break due to decline in cases, are also gearing up for the second wave.