Testing And Surveillance Strategies In The Context Of Covid-19 In India

BACKGROUNDThe COVID-19 pandemic has proceeded unabated across the globe over the last six months and, despite global efforts, experts predict its effects will be felt well into the next year as well. India had its first reported case from Kerala on the same day that the WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, on 30th January 2020. The government initiated a slew of preventive measures over the next couple of months, culminating in a country-wide lockdown on the 24th of March to help healthcare professionals, policymakers and researchers shore up their resources and devise strategies to fight the infection. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in any disease but prevention measures that can 'flatten the curve' have proved to be the most effective in managing COVID-19 worldwide. In this article, we discuss key aspects of the disease from the Indian perspective, as well as the new research and development initiatives around COVID-19 and for broader public health.