A Comparative Analysis of the Indian Strategy of Lowering COVID-19 Transmission

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is rapidly expanding in U.S.A, Spain and Europe and to respond to it, countries are using national lockdown strategies and restrictions on international travels. While in India, strategies implemented proves to be more efficient in controlling the community spread of the disease. Our statistical analysis was based on the publicly available data of the new daily confirmed cases reported from various countries and about the ongoing trials of several diagnostic and treatment methods. Real time RT-PCR proved its inefficiency as a diagnostic tool, thus the country focused on the ELISA based humoral response assay and included Convalescent Plasma therapy as a core treatment protocol and this helped India to ensure higher recovery rate (22.5%) in a short duration. Complete lockdown till 3rd and imposition of stringent measures helped the country to limit the death toll (3%). Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is monitoring around 9.45 lakh suspected cases. From our statistical analysis, it is clear that India is in a better position than many other countries in case of survival rates but immediate actions have to be taken so as to avoid disease spread in the states with higher population density. Convalescent Plasma therapy should be implemented and developing effective diagnostic tools and anti-viral drugs should be of major concern.