Open AccessContaining the first outbreak of COVID-19 in a healthcare setting in India: The sree chitra experience
Author(s) -
Gurpreet Singh,
Gayathri Chinnappa Srinivas,
EK Jyothi,
LK Gayatri,
Rakhal Gaitonde,
Biju Soman
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
indian journal of public health/indian journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 2229-7693
pISSN - 0019-557X
DOI - 10.4103/ijph.ijph_483_20
Subject(s) - contact tracing , medicine , context (archaeology) , health care , middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus , medical emergency , pandemic , preparedness , family medicine , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , political science , law , geography , archaeology
The response to the first health worker case in India and novel strategies adopted in the context of evolving pandemic of COVID-19 is presented here. On the same day of confirmation, institutional COVID cell was established, and contact tracing was started. A total of 184 contacts were identified and quarantined. Hospital services were scaled down, and responsibilities were reassigned. In-house digital platforms were used for daily meetings, contact tracing, line listing, risk stratification, and research. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-based severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV2 testing facility was established in the institute. All high-risk contacts were given hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis. No secondary cases were found. Hospital preparedness, participatory decision-making through institutional COVID cell, optimal use of in-house digital platforms, and coordination with the state health department and national bodies, including Indian Council of Medical Research, were the supporting factors. Rapidly evolving guidelines, trepidation about the disease, logistic delays, and lack of support systems for people under quarantine were the challenges in the containment exercise.