Eastern India's response to the pandemic: a comparative assessment of West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha

Abstract

Background: The three eastern states of India (Odisha, Bihar, and West Bengal) share common borders with similar cultural and socio-demographic characteristics due to historical ties. In the recent past, these states witnessed large-scale return migration of workers, leading to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. Despite the increasing number of cases, the testing capacity in Odisha, Bihar, and West Bengal is significantly lower compared to the testing capacities in the western, southern, and northern regions. Methods: This study utilized a nine-month retrospective longitudinal design, focusing on the COVID-19 situation and healthcare facilities in Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar from May 2020 to January 2021. Data were extracted from various Government and research institution websites, and descriptive analyses employed bar and line diagrams. Results: Odisha and Bihar show declining COVID-19 cases, deaths, and test positivity rates, while West Bengal is on the rise. Testing rates are consistently increasing in all three states. West Bengal has the highest doctors per million, Odisha has the most nurses per million, and more pharmacists are registered in West Bengal. In health infrastructure, Odisha has COVID-19 special hospital testing centers, while West Bengal leads in hospital beds and ICU beds. Conclusions: The burden of COVID-19 infection in India was heterogeneous, with evidence of high transmission in the eastern, northeast, western, and southern regions. The study findings will be helpful in making informed decisions about the current state-wise health status in eastern India.