Hello and welcome to Episode 6 of The Moving Curve. I’m Rukmini, I’m a data journalist, and I live in Chennai. Every night The Moving Curve thinks about one question around the novel coronavirus. Today I’m considering this question: what is community transmission and is it some sort of red line after which all hell breaks loose?
The WHO’s description of transmission scenarios: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/critical-preparedness-readiness-and-response-actions-for-covid-19
Govt technical documents mentioning community transmission: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/coronavirus-government-admits-limited-community-transmission-in-india-via-sop-11585562957621.html
ICMR scientist appearing to say it too to some journalists: https://science.thewire.in/health/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-stage-3-india-community-transmission-icmr-gangakhedkar-preparations/
The health secretary reiterating that this was local transmission, not community transmission: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-coronavirus-government-says-country-in-local-transmission-stage-not-community-transmission-2203040?pfrom=home-topscroll
WHO definition of community transmission: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200329-sitrep-69-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=8d6620fa_4
The government says it has the capacity for mass testing. Let’s do it and then we’ll know just where we are.
Thank you for listening. This episode was edited by Anand Krishnamoorthi. Tomorrow — a new question
