Enhanced Diagnostic Intervention: Key To Tackle Probable Third Covid Wave
Amid the devastating impact of Covid-19 second wave on lives and livelihoods, the ramped-up Covid testing infrastructure has emerged as the most crucial aspect in containing pandemic spread. Although the government has intensified the vaccination drive to flatten the Covid curve, the probability of a third pandemic wave hitting the country brings the focus back to the importance of strengthening the diagnostics infrastructure as well as redefining it to enhance the effectiveness of the healthcare delivery mechanism.
During the first and second pandemic waves, the infection surveillance mechanism powered by IVD solutions succeeded in identifying active cases and facilitating contact tracing. As a result, the public healthcare delivery infrastructure managed to react with efficiency and precision. As the healthcare delivery eco-system is bracing for a possible third wave, the Covid diagnostics infrastructure now has a dual role to play i.e. of measuring the levels of infection as well as antibodies.
As we observed during the second wave, the infection spread has moved beyond the metro cities to penetrate small towns and villages. The trend is expected to become more prominent as there is widespread apprehension that the pandemic will penetrate deeper into rural India. So, the public health agencies must scale up the surveillance mechanism in rural parts of the country to keep things under control. And, for that to happen, there is an urgent need to develop an enabling policy framework to ensure the availability of Covid diagnostic solutions in remote areas of the country.
On the other hand, to prevent the possibility of a third wave, it has become essential to ascertain the geographical and socio-demographic spread of the infection. The most effective way to go about it is to test the presence of antibodies among people. A robust serosurveillance mechanism system can help in achieving that objective. In addition, at a time when nationwide vaccination drive is in full swing, serosurveillance helps in measuring the immunity level among people after vaccination apart from identifying asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients.
As the actual data on exposure levels are critical for efficient healthcare delivery, Covid diagnostics solution providers need to set up a sustainable supply line to strengthen the serosurveillance infrastructure. A number of countries that have been affected by the pandemic impact have already adopted serosurveillance to measure the pandemic impact or the viral caseload. An effective diagnostics intervention goes a long way in helping aggressively implement a potent preventive mechanism. The decision of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to kick off the 4th national sero survey covering 21 districts to measure Covid-19 spread is a step in the right direction.
A roust availability of IgG ELISA test kits for serosurveillance and antibody rapid Covid test kits for infection detection will strengthen the effectiveness of Covid prevention mechanisms. The technology transfer arrangements of ICMR with IVD companies to develop IgG ELISA test kits is a welcome move, indeed.
Easing the burden off the Covid testing infrastructure is another critical aspect which can't be overlooked. ICMR's approval for manufacturing and commecialisation of self-use rapid antigen test kits for Covid-19 will scale up the surveillance mechanism to make a larger impact. By facilitating early detection, contact tracing, isolation and cure, the Covid self-testing kit will help the healthcare delivery eco-system function effectively. It will prove extremely beneficial when it comes to adopting precautionary measures, seeking medical consultations and ensuring health and safety of the family members. As India is coming out of second pandemic wave, Covid self-testing kit will help people strengthen their disease response mechanism. The policy makers should work towards formulating regulatory mechanisms to facilitate faster availability of self-testing kits.
With the second wave of pandemic gradually subsiding, the authorities are rightly undertaking initiatives to reduce the infection spread through vaccination and disease surveillance. As lockdowns are not a sustainable solution, a dynamic Covid diagnostics infrastructure equipped with technology integration, upgraded lab and logistics network enhances the healthcare delivery preparedness in this critical phase.
