Why is govt confusing public by hiding Covid data, asks Dr SS Lal

The third wave is on the doorstep and there are signs that more new variants of this virus are yet to come but Kerala’s health experts are still confused even about the data and the reporting system. Regardless of the multiple criticisms against the unscientific representation of data, still, the official data available on the dashboard of Kerala provides a jumbled number. For example, the number of routine and sentinel samples is given as a single number like 76,319 (Sept 1). 

These are to be given separately so that the samples collected by the health workers from residential areas, the voluntary tests by individuals both due to covid-19 symptoms and for a negative ‘RT-PCR’ certificate to travel or get into a mall won’t get jumbled. Apart from this, the antigen tests are separately calculated which come to around a lakh daily. 

Dr S S Lal, Professor and Head - Public Health, Global Institute of Public Health strongly criticises the unscientific approach towards Covid-19 even in this late hour. Dr S S Lal talks exclusively to mathrubhumi.com.

Panicking TPR

He points out that the TPR is a big number and rises with the increase in number of tests which means that there is a significant spread of the disease. This can only be made clear by the transparency of the figures. 

Replace antigen with RT-PCR tests

He also added that antigen tests are inaccurate. At least, 50 percent of the results will be negative which cannot be considered at this high time. Government should bring strict RT-PCR tests on all.

The CM had earlier said that antigen test results can be received easily and quickly whereas RT-PCR results would take a day. He mentioned this in response to the Opposition criticism over antigen tests.

Significance of Vaccination

In Kerala, there are more people who haven’t been affected by the virus. With the awareness of the people and the efforts of the health workers, the disease could be prevented. But that is not always possible. All that is needed to be done was to speed up the vaccination process and to prevent people from getting sick. 

Vaccination booths should have been set up in private and government sectors to provide free vaccines. Kerala has benefited from vaccination against polio, including private sector. Vaccination in Kerala should be expedited and the number of tests should be increased. If one person is infected, at least 20 people should be tested. Here it is just two. If someone in the house tests positive, all members must test themselves. But they fail to go for tests even if they are sick. That must change.

Testing and Vaccination reluctance persist 

The reluctance to test covid and take vaccination in the state continues even among the educated ones including doctors, teachers and government officials. The main reason is the conversion of this public issue into a law and order issue by the police. It is the health inspector, not the police inspector, who has to find patients and make contact tracing. In many places, patients are afraid that police will visit them. This needs to change.