Mask use to be mandatory, mass testing on cards: Experts’ panel

The 19-member committee formed by the State Health Department to review international methods for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 is working on formulating guidelines and recommendations to prevent further spread of coronavirus, said officials.

“The universal wearing of masks would prevent further transmission from those who have been exposed to the virus to others in their localities. The risk of people transmitting the disease to others through direct contact can be minimised if everyone is wearing masks. The risk of entering the stage of community transmission can be  reduced,” said Dr N Babu, Head of Medicine, Vijaya Hospital and a member of the expert committee.

The doctors from the expert committee also stated that the State Health Department needs to increase the testing of samples in the state. Apart from recommending the extension of the lockdown for two more weeks, having a containment plan and training of healthcare professionals, the expert committee has also recommended testing of asymptomatic high risk patients and capacity building plan.

When asked if the testing of samples is adequate in the state, Dr C Ramasubramanian from Apollo Hospitals said that the state is not testing enough number of samples and the numbers needs to be increased.

“We need more tests and we cannot depend on the rapid testing kits as it is not very useful for individual testing or patient diagnosis. It will help to identify the exposure to the virus in the population at large and help to identify trends of infection in the people. For example, a lot of people might be asymptomatic, but might test positive for the virus,” said Dr Ramasubramanian, a member of the expert committee.

The experts say that the state is trying to stay prepared for the future scenario and the number of beds and isolation facilities in the state have to be increased.

“The committee recommended that patients who are asymptomatic but are high risk, for example they have illnesses such as diabetics, hypertension and Severe Acute Respiratory infection (SARI) are to be tested randomly. The patients with flu like illnesses are also being tested,” said a member of the expert committee, Dr Sivakumar from Villupuram Government Medical College.