The threat of coronavirus pandemic is real. Globally, the number of deaths is inching towards 100,000. No specific drug has been prescribed as of now and probable vaccines look like to be a year away. Countries like Italy, Spain, France, UK, USA are fighting against this crisis with 100% lockdown. The UK Government in the beginning opined for a soft approach and trusted 'herd immunity' to safeguard lives. The decision backfired and now the Prime Minister himself is fighting Covid-19. Public health experts had grave opinions on India's tryst with coronavirus pandemic. High density population itself posed a question mark to India's fortune against this mystery virus. Indian PM Narendra Modi didn't waste time in unnecessary speculation and announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days. It has been almost a few weeks since then and the number of coronavirus positive cases is inching towards the 7,000 mark. Amidst all states and Union Territories, Rajasthan's Bhilwara has come up to be a huge surprise in containing the disease. The ruthlessly efficient administration of Bhilwara has taken a bold strategy to contain the virus. Can this model be adopted nationally?

Bhilwara's corona journey

Bhilwara, the textile town of Rajasthan could have been easily India's Italy moment of Covid-19. The first corona positive case was reported on March 19, much before the nationwide lockdown was imposed. Very soon, it became one of the corona hotspots with twenty seven positive spots and two deaths. But thereafter Bhilwara has not registered any new corona positive case in the last 10 days. Credit goes to the local administration for prompt strategy in ensuring rigorous containment.

The local administration categorically focused on the following six crucial steps:

1. Isolating the locally virus affected areas from the other un-affected places

2. Tagging the hotspots and mapping them

3. Strict door to door screening

4. Tracing and pinpointing the Corona positive patients

5. Creating infrastructure for quarantine facilities

6. Specific isolation wards with all emergency amenities

Overall it can be said that the Bhilwara mantra has been simple and to the point: isolation, testing and quarantine.

The Hospital Episode

Amidst this coronavirus pandemic, the hospital episode in Bhilwara remains a perfect case study for the other states of India. A doctor tested positive for Covid-19 in a private hospital in Bhilwara. Unfortunately, the doctor was asymptomatic and he met so many patients in course of his official duty. In fact, patients from 13 districts visited the hospital in that phase. As the reports came in, the borders were sealed immediately without any delay. Nearly 6000 people, amidst inpatients and outpatients, were identified and put into isolation within the next two days. All the patients in the hospital were put in strict isolation and curfew was imposed. Not only that, local religious leaders, popular community figures were roped in to campaign so that people could be persuaded to remain indoors. The district administration curated specific promotional awareness videos in this regard and there was no lapse from the administration. More than 600 vehicles were seized for flouting the lockdown norms.

Local Corona Fighters of Bhilwara

The local ASHA workers and other volunteers, who form the Corona fighters, were led from the front by the Corona Captain. The local SDM was the Corona Captain. The whole team comprising police, home guards, medical workers, local public and other stakeholders ensured that there was no problem with essential commodities.  4-5 control rooms operated and with remarkable rapidity the district administration acquired 42 hospitals, with dedicated beds for corona patients. Similarly, makeshift quarantine facilities were arranged in hotels and other nearby establishments.

Credit goes to Rajendra Bhatt, the District Magistrate, Bhilwara and Tina Dabi, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Bhilwara for effective management in handling this unprecedented health crisis. As of now, 20 out of 28 patients have been cured and tested negative. Let's not forget that the Bhilwara administration sent people the dairy products before imposing the curfew and also surveyed regarding family wise milk consumption. From isolation to monitoring - the local administration worked day in and day out and the results are exemplary.

Can other Indian districts follow the Bhilwara Model?

No doubt, Bhilwara has showed that with Indian infrastructure, it is possible to contain the coronavirus. The administration needs to work as a team and from top to bottom, there should not be any indecisiveness on part of the administration. The USP has been the way the administration made it a point that all residents receive food and other essential commodities at doorstep. Social protection has been provided adequately by the Rajasthan government. With higher density of population, the model may have shortcomings. But overall, Bhilwara has made every Indian proud in the global front. Even Pinarayi Vijayan's Kerala has also been effective in 'flattening' the curve to a considerable extent.