In new tactic, Maharashtra to survey target groups for Covid-19 symptoms - Times of India

MUMBAI: The increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases and casualties have prompted public health experts in the state to adopt a tactic called “syndromic surveillance” to contain the spread of infection.
The aim is to survey communities -- mainly the elderly and those with pre-existing illnesses -- for a group of symptoms, and perhaps medically manage them like Covid-positive cases even before lab tests show them to be so. Earlier this month, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), while finalizing the protocol for syndromic surveillance, called it a “critical step in risk mitigation” and said it may prove crucial in reducing deaths from Covid-19.

Public health expert Subhash Salunke, technical advisor to the Maharashtra government on Covid-19 containment, said, “I have advised the state to start syndromic surveillance not only in affected areas, but also in areas that have remained relatively naive to the infection. It’s time to go beyond existing containment measures.”
Till now, the focus has been limited to the tracing of close contacts, testing, treatment, ensuring that physical distancing is in place, and keeping daily records of cases and deaths. Community interviews were held initially, but were largely limited to questions on travel history and contact. But the new tactic will actively look for symptoms. “We need to go beyond and start conducting syndromic surveillance in the community by gathering information on patients with group of influenza-like symptoms — cough, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath — especially among the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension during the early phases of illness,” Salunke explained.
Such individuals will then be taken to specialized centres where their symptoms will be managed in the early stages. If need be, they will be treated like Covid-positive patients.
ICMR’s senior epidemiologist, Raman Ganagakhedkar, backed the efficacy of the surveillance technique. “Syndromic surveillance is a critical step in risk mitigation. Its implementation in the state will reduce mortality associated with Covid-19 and to an extent, its spread,” he told TOI.
The method is also cost-effective, said epidemiologist Amitav Banerjee. “Telling people on how to report early symptoms, in case of influenza-like illnesses, can immensely reduce Covid-19-linked mortality,” he said.

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In new tactic, Maharashtra to survey target groups for Covid-19 symptoms - Times of India
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