WHO Chief Scientist stresses need to continue focus on early contact-tracing to contain spread of COVID-19

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation, made a surprise visit to SEOC / #Covid War Room.

This is what Dr. Soumya told me in my conversation with her. 

She said we need to continue to focus on Early Contact Tracing, Testing, and Prevention plans. And in no way slacken any of these. Along side also ensure other medical services too. As it is a long drawn battle we must keep our focus on all three aspects of Covid.

Any deficiency or relaxation in these will be very difficult to reverse Again. She also said home isolation in small houses does not work as it infects all members then.

They need a place to be isolated.

She would look forward to a follow up meeting with Puducherry Administration as Tamil Nadu does with WHO once a month.

She also suggested we could alongside take on contract young men and women high school pass, for contact tracing to spare time with our Para medical staff and others we are currently deploying.

These new young recruits could be trained in this area of work. Also felt the need for outside medical experts in the field to assist the administration for objectivity.

She says she will be writing to the Hon'ble Chief Minister. As a follow up of her meeting and visit to COVID War Room. She thanked OSD Shri Pankaj Jha for briefing her.

And appreciated the existence of such a place.

#Covid19 #Covid #WHO