What Is Community Transmission And Has It Started Already?

As the cases of coronavirus increases in India, there is a possibility of community spread in places such as Delhi. Find out what it means and how does it happen.

Photo: PTI

New Delhi: The rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi is making the state government to look into the possibility of a community transfer. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data, the current cases of COVID-19 in Delhi has reached 29,943, with 17712 active cases. The death recorded so far are 874. Also Read: 'No Community Spread In Delhi Now, But 5.5 Lakh Corona Cases Expected By July 31,' Says Sisodia After a key-meeting under LG Anil Baijal, Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said: "Officers of Central Government were present at the meeting and they said that there is no community spread in Delhi as of now so it need not be discussed,” Earlier he had stated that if community transmission is established, Delhi will have to change its strategies. He, however, indicated that by July end, Delhi may have over 5.5 lakh coronavirus cases. What is Community Transmission? According to WHO, community transmission is larger outbreaks of local transmission. It is characterized by a situation where the original source of the exposure cannot be found or there are cases that are detected through surveillance of a specific group of people.  In the case of coronavirus this means that the infected person has not travelled or has even come in contact with a positive case. The WHO also says that such cases are identified through multiple clusters in several areas and that the inability to trace back the source of transmission in a well-defined geographical area can lead authorities to examine if there is community transmission. Has Community Transmission started in India? Despite the high number of cases in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has so far denied the possibility of community transmission. At present India stands as the fifth-worst affected country in the world. According to news reports, as early as April, the ICMR hinted at a possible community transmission in some parts of India. According to a report by India Today, the ICMR found at the time that at least '40 cases (39.2 percent of those tested positive) didn't have any foreign travel history or any connection with a foreign traveller. These cases were reported from 36 Indian districts in 15 states. But the Union Health Minister said that the community transmission stage has not yet reached India. Currently, there is no specific plan to tackle a community spread in India. Also Watch| Waiting for Central govt to declare community spread in Delhi: Satyendra Jain Does a plan to tackle Community Transmission exist? WHO does, however, have a guideline for Community Transmission preparedness. According to this coordination at national level is important to tackle this stage of the infection. The guidelines also say that  COVID-19 preparedness and response strategies and interventions need to be announced and explained to every sector of the society ahead of time. Other steps include preparing health care facilities for a significant increase of COVID-19 cases. while maintaining the provision of essential health services. laboratories will also need to prepare for a significant increase in cases. It is also stated that the supply of essential services also needs to be ensured as community transmission may cause disruption.