For example, all flight passengers from abroad are being subjected to thermal screening at the airport right from mid-January, even before the first case was identified in India, on January 30.
Teams of government officials are tirelessly working to trace the contacts of suspected patients, get them to self-quarantine, as well as make follow-up enquiries about their well-being.
NEED FOR TESTING KITS
However, one of the key elements of the battle is how well we are able to test people. And, India doesn't have enough testing kits.
In the last few days, we have very good news on this front -- a company in the west Indian city of Pune, called Mylab Discovery, has developed a kit, Patho Detect, that is not only cheaper but can also test samples faster.
The Mylab kit costs Rs 1,200 while the imported one costs Rs 4,500. It can provide the results in two and a half hours, while an imported one takes six to seven hours, says this BBC report.
THE HEROINE
The leader of the team that worked on the kit is virologist Minal Dakhave Bhosale, Mylab's research and development chief.
What makes her a heroine is not just that her team was able to come up with an indigenous testing kit but the fact that she was in the final stages of a complicated pregnancy.
In spite of her personal difficulties, she took the scientific challenge head-on and submitted the kit to the National Institute of Virology on March 18. The next day she gave birth to a baby girl.
The company, the report says, can supply up to 100,000 testing kits a week and can produce up to 200,000, if needed.
What an inspiring story this is! Hearty felicitations to Ms Minal -- not just a role model for all of us, but also a beacon of hope in these troubled times.
(This blog post is part of the monthly 'We Are The World Blogfest' that celebrates positive news)
Hi Pradeep - the Mylab's development sounds just what's needed at the moment - many congratulations to Ms Minal, her family and her new daughter ... she sounds a star and a heroine of the Covid times. Testing, and tracing, certainly seems to be something we should be doing more of - not exactly sure what's happening here, and think it should have been stepped up earlier. Good for India in their testing arrangements and tracing methodologies ... all the best to you, your family and friends - take care - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteExcellent news!!! Beats the spots off some here in the West... YAM xx
Hi Yamini - Hope this kit helps!
DeleteOh, bless Minal Dakhave Bhosale and her family. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Darla - Hats off that young researcher!
DeleteAnd I'm glad she has at least one child so her genetics can be passed along. ~nods~ The world can never have enough intelligent, compassionate people.
DeleteWhat an amazing person and best wishes to her and her little one. Thanks so much for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB. Stay safe and be well! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Belinda - There are now increased demands for getting the testing kit. Hope it helps, and we can tide over the crisis.
DeleteThanks for dropping by.
That is a great story. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHer dedication is one of the greatest. She is a hero.
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartening news when we are filled with messages of gloom!It is nothing but dedication and devotion to work that spurred her to complete the great find.Such persons are hard to come by.Good you have highlighted her contribution in time of great need.
ReplyDeleteYes, KP, such people are difficult to find nowadays!
DeleteGreat efforts by the inventor. India has done quite well in responding to the crisis so far, hope we'll be able to contain this virus fully very soon.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Hi Rajesh - the aggressive surveillance, contact tracing and quarantining seems to have worked till now at least.
DeleteIndia is definitely doing right by its citizens during the pandemic. Minal Dakhave Bhosale is especially impressive. Women know how to do whatever it takes.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing woman! Thanks for sharing her inspirational story.
ReplyDeleteHi Christie, Thanks. Hope her work helps, in these really troubled times.
DeleteIsn't it wonderful when we see our fellow human beings stepping up and doing amazing things? I love all the ingenuity that has come about as scientists and technologists have been working to defeat this virus and to keep up stocks of what's needed to fight it until a cure is found.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM 😊
Hi Leanne - Hopefully a vaccine is found soon. And we have an end to this uncertain and frightening times!
DeleteWhat an amazing achievement. A hero, alright! #MLSTL
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