COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey and Kerala, India: Some Observations

Abstract

There is still lack of clarity regarding the effectiveness of various control measures in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. The experiences from different countries or contexts are diverse. For instance in Kerala state of India, the dispersed settlement patterns could have played an important role as against the nucleated, semi-compact or compact patterns elsewhere in the country including the West. The importance of surveillance, good quality quarantine, testing strategies, uninterrupted treatment services, community participation, proactive care of elderly and people with comorbidity and educational and social mobilisation of behavioural change etc. have also been pointed out as factors which contributed to effective management and control of COVID-19 in Kerala. But such optimism did not last long and the virus had an upper hand despite all these claims. After the one single case on 30 January, it soon hit the peak with super spread and community spread reported in some areas. Turkey is one of the few countries in the world which effectively handled the COVID-19 virus largely due to a scientific approach with rigorous testing. What is observed regarding the number of active cases in Turkey is a peak sometime around the middle of April and then a gradual flattening. The success in Turkey could also be attributed to strict enforcement of Standard protocols. Like many other countries, strict quarantine was also enforced. Turks coming from abroad were quarantined at guest houses for 14 days (for those with no clinical signs), and at designated hospitals in each province (for those with clinical symptoms) till June. Standard protocols such as restrictions on meetings, gatherings and travel were followed. The Country also adopted a fast track mechanism to procure medical supplies, test kits, PPEs, thermal scanners, and other needed diagnostic and curative commodities and distribute it to all possible sites. There is no doubt that the pandemic has already led to devastating social, economic and political effects that will leave deep and longstanding scars. In the longer term, we should look at ways to better prevent and manage such crises and ensure that the world makes full use of what we will learn from this one. This is the reason why there is a need to examine country case studies to understand patterns especially similarities and differences. But an on-going epidemiological assessment based on data is extremely important to strengthen the fight against the pandemic. This is extremely useful for developing an integrated global response as an investment for our future