The better part of management is preparation. Until a certain foresight driven by evidence is possible and systems are in place, post-facto management can be a damp squib. The rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country indicates the need to gear up again. On 12 April, A total of 7,830 new cases were reported in a span of 24 hours.Probably the highest in more than 200 days, according to data from the Union health ministry. As on date, there are more than 40,000 active cases in the country. a pedigree of Omicron virus called XBB.1.16 is said to be behind the current rapid spread of cases in the country. Deaths are also rising slowly, being reported from states where there were no deaths for months. It may be reassuring that preliminary studies of the behavior of XBB.1.16 show that mild infections do not require hospitalization, indicating that it is not a very virulent strain. However, health systems can hardly remain prepared, especially given the recent painful experience of a raging pandemic taking a huge toll.
In any long-drawn battle in the field of public health, a sense of fatigue is inevitable, especially during a pandemic when the demands on health human resources and infrastructure are relentless. Every opportunity to burden will naturally be seized, and over time there may be rejoicing in the low infection levels. The increasing number of COVID-19 cases in India calls for health systems across the country to wake up and prepare them to face the challenge. However, the difference between March 2023 and March 2020 is that the world is no longer COVID-naïve. Experience has indicated how to be prepared, even as the World Health Organization comes forward to treat COVID-19 similar to seasonal influenza. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Covid-19 task force meeting two weeks ago rightly advised the states to focus on the tactics that work first – ‘test-track-treat-vaccinate’ and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. Do it. He called nationwide to increase laboratory surveillance, test all severe acute respiratory illness cases, and make the practice routine in hospitals. Many states have implemented mandatory masking and conducted drills at various levels. But, past experience is also clear that a lot depends on compliance at the individual level – hand hygiene, wearing masks and early access to hospital, especially in the case of senior citizens and persons with co-morbidities. As governments prepare themselves, strengthen health systems, individuals must also be prudent to take adequate precautions.