NAGPUR: The experts appointed by the state government through Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund) and NGO RedR India have suggested 200-300 tests per day per lakh population, self-testing by citizens, and organisations taking ownership of their own people to mitigate third wave of Covid-19.
They also advised vaccination of all eligible people and participation of the public in controlling the pandemic through Covid Appropriate Behaviour. Disaster risk governance specialist Amit Tandon, and public health expert Dr Shailaja Gaikwad from Unicef and RedR submitted Covid-19 Third Wave Management Plan to Nagpur Municipal Corporation recently.
Tandon told TOI, “Some global best practices suggest testing 200-300 (unique) tests per day per 1 lakh population, depending on the caseload.”
Tandon added that testing of transient populations will also be very beneficial. “Testing of people running shops, vendors, home delivery boys etc who meet multiple people daily should be done once in a fortnight. Owners of these establishments along with private and government offices should take responsibility of their own people. If they manage to test and isolate symptomatic or infected person, it will help contain the spread,” he said.
Tandon also said “Slum Task Force should be appointed in association with NGOs.” As per data of district civil surgeon, average daily testing of the district was 9,150 in June and 6,821 in city. As per experts, there should be 10,546-15,819 tests per day in district and 5,800-8,700 per day in the city.
