Maharashtra needs to monitor home quarantine cases, say experts

As Maharashtra's count of Covid-19 cases surpassed that of Russia, the fourth worst-hit country in the world, TOI spoke to four experts to find out changes required in the state's strategy to fight the crisis. Here's what each one of them has to recommend:
Rahul Pandit, member of the state task force on Covid
The state government should implement the Singapore model when it comes to wearing of masks and social distancing.Our people have not taken it seriously. We must ensure everyone wears a mask and maintains social distancing, otherwise heavy fines should be imposed, like in Singapore. We will have to bring in more awareness too. The lockdown period has been used effectively to build state-of-the-art health infrastructure not only in Mumbai but across the state. Home quarantine must also be taken up seriously. We found several patients do not take it seriously and then in the final stages reach the hospital, when nothing can be done.
Sanjay Oak, head of the state task force
Now that there's a surge in cases, the Dharavi model must be followed. We have to replicate the model across the state and 'track, trace and treat.' Enhance contact tracing. Erect kiosks all over the state for collection of swabs. The task force has drafted treatment protocols, and they must be adhered to meticulously. Plus, we must open mid-sized nursing homes, and if home quarantine is accepted, the government must do a daily medical follow-up and those quarantined at home should not come out of their confines for food or to use washrooms. Avoid festivities, because festivities are equal to crowds, which are equal to superspreader events.
Mahesh Zagade, former FDA commissioner
Bureaucrats failed to envision the need for curative care and to create comprehensive end-to-end infrastructure for treatment of patients. The failure of the administration was conspicuous as there were too many authorities in charge of the same aspects of the lockdown or management of containment zones, adversely impacting the outcome of such preventive measures. The lax chains of commands more often than not bred bickering among officials. The handling of the lockdown and containment zone management resulted in massive increase in cases. Local administrations too did not enforce wearing of masks, social distancing and hygiene, and as a result, there is a surge in cases.
T P Lahane, director of medical education & research
The stateshould have enhanced contract tracing. For every patient, we are now examining 15 to 18 cases but initially we tested less than 10 and in certain districts, less than five. Per day testing too should have been more. Contact tracing should be done in collaboration with officials of health, medical education, revenue departments and police. I am happy we are tracing 90,000 per day now. Also, instead of home quarantine, more emphasis should be given to institutional quarantine.