Virus under lockdown

 India’s current lockdown is one of the largest COVID-19 national lockdown in the world which was extended to May 3. The prime minister Narendra Modi has consulted state chief ministers on April 27 on whether or not to lift the lockdown. As of April 27, India has reported over 28,000 confirmed cases and886 deaths from COVID-19 with the top three states being Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi. A majority of the chief ministers who interacted with Prime Minister on Monday wanted the lockdown to continue after May 3 and asked him to adopt a cautious approach while opening it. The chief ministers were unanimous in telling the prime minister that the way the coronavirus is spreading, a “cautious approach” is needed while lifting the lockdown, which they said should continue, but economic activity should also start slowly. On the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed the Centre is making contradictory statements on enforcement of the lockdown, and alleged funds are not being provided to the state for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. What states want from the Centre is funds to combat COVID-19 as the lockdown has brought all economic activities to a grinding halt. One of the most challenging task for a lockdown is on the plight of millions of daily wage earners and migrant labourers. Millions of daily wage labourers suddenly lost their jobs, forcing hundreds of thousands to travel hundreds of kilometres (miles) back to their home villages, often on foot. Others have been stranded in cities in cramped, unsanitary conditions where the virus could spread quickly. The lockdown has also given the government time to prepare for a possible surge in cases when the pandemic is forecasted to peak in the coming weeks. Still, India’s population of 1•3 billion across diverse states, health inequalities, widening economic and social disparities, and distinct cultural values present unique challenges. Preparedness and response to COVID-19 have differed at the state level. Kerala has drawn on its experience with the Nipah virus in 2018 to use extensive testing, contact tracing, and community mobilisation to contain the virus and maintain a very low mortality rate. It has also set up thousands of temporary shelters for migrant workers. With the majority of states on April 27 telling the prime minister that the lockdown should be extended since they are still not cent per cent satisfied with the achievements. At the back of their minds lurks the fear that COVID-19 is hiding and could burst out in the open once the lockdown is totally lifted. The point is how long should the lockdown be continued, when no one can safely or correctly claim that the virus has been isolated within the ‘hot spots’? Simply having a lockdown is like a curfew that confines everybody inside homes but failing to trace and arrest the culprits. One of the most important objective is to trace and track COVID-19 and then treat those carrying the virus. The problem is the huge challenge of testing a few million people in order to arrive at a clear picture about the virus. The other is to have a vaccine that is efficacious in treating COVID-19. These two are vital for containing and eliminating the virus. While these are under process, it is hoped the virus does not mutate into another form that it can elude and evade measures to eliminate it.