Context: Recently a network of 65 laboratories of the Department of Health Research and the Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) will now test 20 samples each week — 10 of influenza-like illnesses and 10 of severe acute respiratory infection — for Covid-19.

Experts at the ICMR said there were four states of the disease. Stage-1 is getting imported cases, stage-2 is local transmission, stage-3 is community transmission and stage-4 is when it turns into an epidemic.
About Imported Transmission

• It is reported among the travellers entering the country via the borders and airports.These can be controlled through thermal screening and quarantine.
• To prevent imported transmissions, India has suspended visas to foreign nationals and the facility of visa-free travel to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card-holders.

About Local Transmission

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines it as the transmission through direct contact with an infected person within the country.

About Community Transmission

• It signifies that a virus is circulating in the community and can affect people with no history of travel to affected areas or of contact with an infected person.
• India’s current emphasis on social distancing and discouragement of public gatherings is aimed at checking community transmission.
• Once community transmission begins, it is more difficult to trace contacts. As one unknown source of infection can infect many people unknowingly.
• Among the countries where community transmission seems to have begun are China, Italy and South Korea.

About Epidemic

• An epidemic is a large outbreak, one that spreads among a population or region.
• It is less severe than pandemic due to a limited area of spread.

Level of Transmission in India

• So far, most of the cases in India have had a history of travel abroad or have contracted the disease from somebody around them.
• However, some of the cases in the country had neither any history of foreign travel nor had they come directly in contact with an infected person.
• Currently, India is at Stage 2 of Local Transmission and precautions are being taken to prevent it from entering Stage 3 of Community Transmission.

Measures taken by Govt
These measures are a preventive step to contain COVID-19 in the country and will be temporary measure in force till March 31st, 2020. The important measures include:

• Closure of all educational establishments (schools, universities etc), gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres. Students should be advised to stay at home. Online education to be promoted.
• Non-essential travel should be avoided.  Buses, Trains and aeroplanes to maximize social distancing in public transport besides ensuring regular and proper disinfection of surfaces.
• Encourage private sector organizations/employers to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible.
• Meetings, as far as feasible, shall be done through video conferences. Minimize or reschedule meetings involving large number of people unless necessary.
• Restaurants to ensure hand washing protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces. Ensure physical distancing (minimum 1metre) between tables; encourage open air seating where practical with adequate distancing.
• Local authorities to have a dialogue with organizers of sporting events and competitions involving large gatherings and they may be advised to postpone such events.
• Local authorities to have a dialogue with opinion leaders and religious leaders to regulate mass gatherings and should ensure no overcrowding/at least one metre distance between people.
• Local authorities to have meeting with traders associations and other stakeholders to regulate hours, exhibit Do’s and Don’ts, and take up a communication drive in market places like sabzi mandi, anaj mandi, bus depots, railway stations, post-offices etc., where essential services are provided.