How Stopping The Testing of Asymptomatic COVID 19 Patients Will Cause Worst Pandemic Scenario In India

If you look into the present scenario of India in terms of dealing with COVID-19, you have many reasons to feel hopeful. Although the country has not yet been successful in eradicating the virus, the authorities are trying hard to give the best service possible to the country people. 

A few areas need to be mentioned here where India has done a good job. Starting from setting up quarantining facilities, airport screening, contact tracing and creating a strong public awareness - the respective authorities have worked for keeping things as much in order as possible.

Not to forget, the corona testing centers in the country that are trying rigorously to trace the cases as rapidly as possible despite dealing with the lack of proper testing kits. However, one small mistake is enough to ruin the curve and take it deep down. 

A few days back, a comment from WHO has shocked the world and that is SARS-CoV-2 is more likely to spread like wildfire through asymptomatic patients. 

However, later on, another statement came from WHO claiming it was nothing but a misunderstanding. Rather, there is a 'rare' chance of the virus getting spread via asymptomatic patients.

However, the matter of concern here is the fact that a person can be affected by COVID-19 without showing the basic symptoms everyone was worrying about. 

And, the transmission may be rare but not impossible. And, what the Indian government may more likely to do is to stop the testing of these patients. Clearly, one can imagine how the situation can go out of the hands through this one step.

Most People Do Not Know That They Are Affected by the Virus

Well, a few days back, if a person around you coughed or sneezed a little, you became cautious. You were completely aware of the fact that at that stage, these two symptoms can actually ruin an entire community. 

But what if you don’t even know that the person next to you silently spreading the virus, completely unaware of the fact that he/she is an active carrier! Nothing can be more dangerous than that.

According to the leading COVID 19 testing centers, around 80% of COVID-19 patients are unaware of the fact that they are transmitting the disease as they do not have any symptoms at all. 

And, this percentage is enough to destroy the community at large. That is the reason why face masks and the use of sanitizers have become more important than ever if you go out to public places. 

A piece of confirmed news has arrived saying that at least 25% of the affected people are asymptomatic and they are enough to make the situation worse in India if the tests are not taken seriously.

What is Happening to the Asymptomatic Patients?

The common question arises here is if the asymptomatic patients are not showing any sign then how their body is getting is damaged with this virus? The common theory suggests that the respiratory droplets coming out from a person through coughing or sneezing are responsible for affecting the other.

However, asymptomatic patients are showing mild symptoms. And, as the situation is not getting worse, they are not getting their testing done in COVID 19 virus test centres. In the meantime, their lungs are getting affected severely. 

They are showing signs of vital lung abnormalities which may not match with that of asymptomatic coronavirus patients. In short, the lung damage they are facing is mild and gradual.

However, once affected, they are very much capable of affecting others. When you know that you are ill, you will take the necessary precautions, isolate yourself from others, and stay in rest. 

But the person having mild cough and cold symptoms may not take such precaution and possibly not go through coronavirus tests. The result of this is quite evident. 

The close circle of these asymptomatic patients is going to get affected the most at first and then they can take it to the next level.

Why India is Not Testing the Asymptomatic People?

Well, from the bird’s view, it seems this is just the lack of infrastructure. It is out of the capacity. However, the reality is something else. According to the centres conducting corona testing, the medical infrastructure of India allows 8000 samples to be tested in a day. 

But, initially, not more than 90 tests have taken place. This was the first alarming sign. Probably, the government has failed to scale up the community spread.

Now, ICMR has started to expand testing after test kits have started to arrive. Some medical experts have placed their view on this statement the lack of data was one of the reasons. Asymptomatic people are not listed in any data at all. 

They have not come forward for any tests. And, when the country is dealing rigorously with COVID 19 test for positive symptomatic patients, it seems pointless for them to walk that extra mile to track down the asymptomatic lot. And, that is one of the reasons why tests are not happening at all.

Conclusion

Italy has already proven the importance of mass testing. There were 3300 residents in a small town named Vo. And, they have not left a single person to be tested there. Affected people among them were being isolated and the rest were left to lead a normal life. 

With this measure, they have successfully stopped any further spread within that village. This was just an instance of what could be done. If Italy could do it, India can do it as well. It is a matter of time and more awareness. 

People who are having even the mildest symptoms of cough and cold should come forward, search the internet for "coronavirus test near me in India”, find out the most reliable clinic and get tested. 

When it is the matter of the health and wellbeing of the people around you, you should be the one taking responsibility, play their part and make their country get higher ranks in the recovery sector as soon as possible.

Looming Danger of The Second Wave of COVID 19 in India With Monsoon

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic is posing a serious danger to all. While efforts are being taken to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, it is being stated that a surge in the cases of the patients of coronavirus will be witnessed during the monsoon in India. 

The Coronavirus Testing in India is being carried out in massive numbers. Although there is a steady fall in the number of cases in some parts of the country, there are chances of a second wave during the monsoon.

Scientists state that there will an increase in the number of cases in India as the lockdown is being lifted at various places. 

Some relaxations are being given at certain places and if social distancing is not followed then there are very high chances of spread of infection. The timing when the cases will be at their peak is not sure but will depend on the way people are following the instructions and measures are being taken. 

Every Corona Testing Lab in India is under much pressure for speeding up their process of testing.

What are the assumptions?

The cases of the novel coronavirus have taken a steady fall for the time being. Except for a few cities, most of the regions are witnessing the downfall in the number of patients of the pandemic disease.

 However, the assumptions for the rise of the second wave of the pandemic disease are on. The steady decline in the number of cases would last a few weeks or months but the second wave of COVID-19 is still being assumed at large. 

COVID Testing Cost in India was reduced to allow people to have the benefits but the cases do not seem to stop.

Why are the statements being made?

The country witnessed a rapid rise in the number of patients of COVID-19, post-lockdown. Even though the restrictions were imposed, the cases did not seem to decrease and kept on rising. 

When normal life has been disrupted, there should have been a decline, but the situation was vice-versa. Now, when the restrictions are relaxed, and the people return to their normal lives. 

There are very high chances and equal risk of acquiring the infection. COVID-19 Test is being done rapidly to bring out the patients, but the hidden cases will be out only after the normal life begins.

Are there chances of relapse?

Some of the recent studies conducted in other nations suggest that there are chances of relapse of the novel coronavirus in those who have recovered. 

No evidence has been found yet that suggests that immunity can be acquired after recovering from the earlier infection. This ultimately suggests that the entire population of the country is susceptible to the second infection. 

Efforts are being made to make the Corona Test At Home a practical option for those who cannot step out to be tested. The better part is that around 18 states have observed a decline in the number of cases with double recovery rates or have already reached the peak. 

This definitely sheds some light on the importance of lockdown that was the need of the hour. 

WHY WE NEED THE LARGE SCALE COVID19 TEST DRIVE IN INDIA?

At present, India has around 39,980 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the country is still facing this pandemic very boldly. It has been observed that the number of patients is increasing day-by-day.

The health department of every city along with the police force is taking every possible measure to protect the citizens from this pandemic. People are getting keenly aware of this disease and the number of tests taken every day is also increased as compared to the previous month record.

With these rising COVID-19 patients, it has become essential for India, which is Asia’s third-largest economy, to increase the Coronavirus Test Centers by tenfold.

However, the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) would elevate the Coronavirus Testing capacity to 1 lakh per day which is currently 18000 per day. This crucial step was the prerequisite to face the worst-case scenario in the coming days.

The Overall Effect

The government had announced a 21-day along with the current 17-day lockdown across the country which is why the business economy has slowed down again.

Not least, but the International Monetary Fund had already declared a recession which would definitely take some time to get things back on track.

However, the medical research body also allows the use of rapid antibody tests because the new coronavirus hotspots have emerged in the country. ICMR has approved more than 200 labs that include the public and private COVID 19 Lab in India ‌.

This testing can be done through RT-PCR machines that can genetically detect the pathogen. Also, the government has been identifying different research institutes, government labs as well as private labs, and medical colleges that have all the capability and infrastructure to manage Corona Testing.

To take control of this pandemic, the ICMR is also looking to shift into working models at currently working labs. Also, it is also trying to connect with other states as well to increase the workforce to handle a number of functions such as data entry and RNA extraction.

On April 6, 2020, the ICMR acquired over 10 lakh RT-PCR kits. It is in the process of validating new kits that have all authorization.

What Is the COVID-19 test-drive process?

The test-drive tests start with filling an online information sheet that the individual is required to fill appropriately. The sheet will have all the required information about the patient i.e. the patient’s symptoms and the doctor’s prescription.

However, they are also required to mention their vehicle numbers. Then, the model of their car is then processed for collection. In India, each Corona Test Cost is Rs. 3500, and this price is set in sync with the guidelines set for private labs by ICMR.

Once the patient’s registration is completed, the patient is provided with a list of instructions in PDF format. It will include the pointers under ‘How’, ‘Why’, and ‘What’ parts.

However, as per the survey conducted by the medical organizations, the COVID-19 test drive is the most important step taken towards the betterment of the country as it fetches more precise information about the patients.

Down the line, if the nation really needs to get out of the woods of Coronavirus, then the health department must conduct a large scale test drive in India. This will not only help the nation to have a good health factor but also will help economically as well.

EFFECTIVENESS OF PLASMA THERAPY IN COVID19 TREATMENT

The global pandemic COVID-19 has been on a rapid rise ever since we detected the first case in China. Millions of people got affected globally, and it has turned out to be an enormous threat to human life. 

While the efforts remain on to treat the disease or develop a vaccine, we have found the mortality rate to be increasing. 

After a few failed attempts to treat some patients affected with novel coronavirus, the treatment of the disease by convalescent plasma transfusion has given a ray of hope for the patients who show no signs of improvement.

Initially, the provision made to increase the number of Coronavirus testing labs for detecting the disease. When enough COVID 19 lab employed with the job of COVID 19 Test, the trials for various vaccines and medicines were started. 

Fortunately, the transfusion of convalescent plasma showed successful results. They observed that a single dose of plasma had the potential to maintain the antibodies. 

This leads to the disappearance of the infection within a week. Radiological investigations revealed that the lesions in the lung too subsided within 7 days.

What is convalescent plasma therapy?

The fundamental aim of the therapy is to utilize the immune power attained by a recovered individual to treat the patients found positive with the novel coronavirus. The therapy got approved after a patient successfully treated and recovered through the CP transfusion. 

When a novel coronavirus infects our body, the antibodies produced by our immune system which detects the invading virus.

White blood cells (WBCs) act as the first line of defense to help our body get rid of the pathogen. Under plasma therapy, they harvest the antibodies from a patient that has recovered from the infection and introduced into the body of an affected person. This allows the immune system of the body to fight and eliminate the virus.

How is the patient treated?

After the COVID Test when the patient found positive, he/she is first given the basic medication. When a person has successfully recovered from COVID-19, then his blood serum collected. 

This helps the infected individual to gain passive immunization. They test the donor of the convalescent serum before the transfusion. The reports of the donor must negative when tested for SARS CoV 2 Test.

Effectiveness of the therapy

Over time, they have found it that there are no effective antivirals against any unknown disease that occurs. To overcome this, they have introduced convalescent plasma therapy. 

The therapy has shown improvement in individuals treated with this and has been proved to be the most effective way of treating a disease. 

The antibody serum is in the patient's body for around four days. The effectiveness of plasma therapy becomes visible in these four days and significantly improves the health of the person.

The Bottom Line

Convalescent plasma therapy has brought about a fresh alternative to conventional treatment methods. Eventually, it has been effective enough in giving another life to the individual and has broadened the scope of medicinal treatments in human life existence. 

HISTORY OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

A coronavirus is a group of vicious viruses that cause disease and if not get treated properly, lead to death.

In humans, it causes infection in the respiratory tract which can be mild like cough and the common cold to severe like shortness of breath the same as SARS and presently COVID-19 or SARS CoV 2.


The Evolution of Coronavirus

Before knowing the history of the virus, it is important to know the evolution. This part describes how this virus evolved all through these years.

The ancestor of the recent coronavirus is believed to have evolved near around 8000 BC. However, some models try to establish a point that these evolved as long as 55 million years ago.

The same model correlates it with the existence of the bats and considers that both of them have evolved together.

There has been a categorization of the coronaviruses in the form of alpha, beta, gamma, and delta coronavirus.

The alpha coronavirus is believed to have evolved around 2400 BCE, beta coronavirus around 3300 BCE and gamma coronavirus at around 2800 BCE whereas for delta it is estimated to have evolved around 3000 BCE.

Experts believe that warm-blooded animals, especially bats and birds are the most suitable hosts for the coronaviruses. While alpha and beta coronaviruses can be related to bats; the other two are associated with the birds.

But, the human coronavirus is believed to have diverged in the 1890s. Experts also cite that the most recent ancestor of human coronaviruses dates back to the 1950s.

The study of evolution also states that bat coronavirus and human coronavirus shared the most recent ancestor not earlier than 800 years ago. The SARS coronavirus is expected to have evolved around 1986.


History Of Coronavirus - 

The very first time this virus found its name described was in the year 1931. However, the first discovery was made in the late 1960s; to be specific in 1965. It was named HCoV-229E and was isolated from human beings.

The viruses were found from human embryonic tracheal organ cultures of an adult who was suffering from cold and respiratory tract infection.

However, the next serious case was highlighted in the year 2002 with the outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

It was named as SARS-CoV. Before this outbreak, there was another one apart from HCoV-229E. It was HCoV-OC43.

After the identification of SARS-CoV, two more coronaviruses were discovered. Later on, these were grouped into three categories which are as follow—

• Group I- comprised of HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E

• Group II- has HCoV-HKU1 & HCoVOC43

• Group III- has yet to make any entry

The Study of First Detected Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are spherical in shape and have bulbous surface projections. The size of these viruses remains approximately 120 nm (diametrical length).

The detailed morphology of the virus is as follows—

It has a lipid bilayer that forms the envelope of the virus structure onto which envelope, M-protein, RNA and N protein, E protein is anchored.

The member encapsulates the nucleocapsid which is the result of multiple copies of the N (nucleocapsid) protein.


The Etymology Of The Coronavirus


The name is given to the virus based on the shape and structure it has. When viewed through an electron microscope, the virus shows bulbous surface projections resembling a solar corona or crown.

The word is taken from the Latin word Corona that means 'crown'. Though the root of this Latin version is believed to be from the Greek word- korṓnē.


Relation Between Coronavirus And Human Beings

The impact of coronavirus on human beings differs as per the risk factor. Though some are considered to have a mild impact, there are few in the list that is notorious and is considered to be pandemic.

There are seven strains of human coronavirus known. The following are known to cause very slight symptoms of a common cold—

• Human coronavirus NL63

• Human coronavirus 229E

• Human coronavirus HKU1

• Human coronavirus OC43

And the following variants are considered to cause havoc and death of millions of people as soon as the

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus or SARS-CoV and was first reported in 2003

The Middle-East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus or MERS-CoV first recognized in 2012 in 21 countries of the Middle East world

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus or SARS-CoV 2 or COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV is believed to have spread from Wuhan, China, and has turned to be pandemic

In India, the Coronavirus pandemic is on the rise. Along with the major players, Metropolis Healthcare Labs is one of the prominent Pathology Labs in India that has received authorization for the COVID-19 Testing from ICMR. 

It is actively providing Coronavirus Testing in Delhi, NCR, Chennai Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, and Aurangabad.