Effectiveness of Lockdown in Karnataka During the Second Wave of COVID-19

Abstract

Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) was declared as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020 by World Health Organization (WHO). All countries around the globe have implemented the lockdown and maintaining of safe distance to minimize the spread of COVID-19. India had implemented the lockdown at an early stage of virus outbreak while maintaining strict social distancing protocol in all states including Karnataka. Karnataka state has taken various measures to contain the spread which includes regulated lockdown, creating containment zones, initiating social distancing protocol, and so on. Karnataka implemented lockdown in phases during wave-1 & wave-2. All countries across the world had implemented lockdowns and quarantine as a counter measure to address the rapid increase in the infected cases and death toll numbers. Having said, the effects of lockdown on disease cannot - and should not - be looked at in isolation. They are entwined with its political and humanitarian effects, including unemployment, hunger, an unprecedented migrant worker crisis, and widespread loss of access to healthcare. These crises could have been averted or lessened with planning, but they are now an essential part of India's lockdown story. However, in this study we are aiming to analyze the effectiveness of lockdown in Karnataka, India. We analyzed the data available at covid19india.org for the confirmed cases during wave-1 & wave-2 of the pandemic in Karnataka state. As part of Exploratory data analysis (EDA), we conducted hypothesis testing, p-value, t-statistics as a statistical technique to determine the impact of the lockdown. Based on our statistical analysis in this study, we can say that lockdown in Karnataka state during the wave-1 and wave-2 was effective. It has helped control the speed of spreading the virus and breaking the chain during the lockdown.