This story is from July 5, 2020

The Ahmedabad model of coronavirus control

Additional chief secretary Rajiv Gupta says a multi-pronged strategy has helped Ahmedabad rein in Covid-19. "Key measures which helped Covid-19 control included ordering the opening of 2,800 clinics, requisitioning 3,328 beds in 67 private hospitals for Covid-19 patients and making expensive but life-saving drug Tocilizumab drug available for critically ill," he said.
The Ahmedabad model of coronavirus control
Picture for representational purpose only.
AHMEDABAD: In nine weeks beginning March 17, Covid-19 almost brought Ahmedabad to its knees. Panic engulfed the city which hit headlines as one of the worst Covid-affected cities in India. Hospitals were running out of beds while people ran out of patience as week nine from May 11-17 recorded the peak of 2,557 cases and 142 deaths.
Just when people feared that the worst was yet to come, the city got its act together.
In fact, over the next seven weeks, the city recorded a dramatic fall in both cases and mortality. Week 15 from June 22-28 saw cases dropping to 1,548, a 40% decline from the peak of 2,557 cases of week 9. Deaths too have recorded 40% drop from 142 in week 7 to 86 in week 9. If one considers the peak deaths of 172 in week 8 and 10, the mortalities have been curtailed by half in June last week.
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While the fight with Corona is far from over, the city is surely breathing easy as compared to its counterparts Mumbai and Delhi. So what has Ahmedabad and its people done right?
Additional chief secretary Rajiv Gupta, who assumed charge of Covid-19 control in Ahmedabad on May 7 says a multi-pronged strategy has helped Ahmedabad rein in Covid-19.
Multi-pronged strategy helped city rein in Covid
Additional chief secretary Rajiv Gupta, who assumed charge of Covid-19 control in Ahmedabad on May 7, after municipal commissioner Vijay Nehra was shunted out and replaced by IAS officer Mukesh Kumar, says a multi-pronged strategy has helped Ahmedabad rein in Covid-19.

“Key measures which helped Covid-19 control included ordering the opening of 2,800 clinics, requisitioning 3,328 beds in 67 private hospitals for Covid-19 patients and making expensive but life-saving drug Tocilizumab drug available for critically ill,” said Dr Gupta.
Targeted interventions like Dhanvatri doorstep clinic vans provided medicines including Vitamin C and D and ayurvedic medicines to 2,100 people every day. This is reported to have given encouraging results especially in the central zone comprising Jamalpur, Dariapur, Khadia, Shahibaugh, Shahpur and Asarwa areas.
“The zone reported 72 deaths in May first week which has dropped to as low as 7 deaths in week ending on June 28. Cases have dropped from 635 to 113 in the same time period,”said senior officials.
Life saving drug Tocilizumab which helps reverse serious complication of lifethreatening inflammatory levels has been provided by AMC gratis to 650 critically ill patients. “This has improved survival rate by 75%”, said a top AMC official.
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About the Author
Paul John

Paul John is special correspondent at The Times of India, Ahmedabad and reports on urban infrastructure, RTI and taxation related issues. His enjoys doing human interest stories and going to rural areas and reporting on issues affecting people there.

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