India Fighting COVID-19: Experiences and Lessons Learned From the Successful Kerala and Bhilwara Models

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic marks its emergence in China in December 2019. India reported its first case on January 30th 2020 which happened to be epidemiologically linked to China. On March 24, India went into nationwide lockdown. The number of cases increased in the country and a few hotspots were identified. Cluster containment strategy seemed to be effective in containing the disease and breaking the chain of transmission. Two models (Kerala and Bhilwara) emerged as a lesson for other states. Kerala government implemented a triple-lock containment strategy and Bhilwara district administration followed all down curfew with massive sample testing. The experiences from these successful field models can be implemented in other districts and states to flatten the COVID-19 curve.