Coronavirus – what countries do right? How to improve COVID-19 response? (2)

Dr. Anton Titov, MD. You are a renowned biologist and advisor to the WHO on viral infections, including Coronavirus. What is your view of the current public health measures around the world against COVID-19? Dr. Anton Titov, MD. Which measures perhaps could be added or focus better. Medical second opinion is important. What we see is just how insidious this virus is spreading, particularly because there are patients with a very mild disease that still may be infectious because they shed a lot of viruses from their nasal secretions. So, what we are learning is that we need to be very serious about infection or measures. The initial strategies have been to focus on travelers bringing in coming in with infection and putting their quarantines in their contacts and quarantine. But right now, we see that that has not been Insufficient in many parts of the world. Because of the severe impact, this is a virus to take very seriously. Right now, you see the lockdowns or the restrictions in movement and social distancing. I do believe that that is the way to go. You also see that it is not happening everywhere in the world. Medical second opinion is important. That is something patients need to be preparing for. Medical second opinion is important. The country that wants to make sure that the spread is slow. That the curve is flattened, needs to go into the serious isolation measures, quarantines and the lockdowns that we see in some countries. But not all of them. Yes, certainly. The social distancing, I don’t think complete lockdown needs to happen. Sometimes we managed to explain to the patients the general public, how important it is that that they understand the social distancing and the importance of hand washing. That has also been the strategy in our country. Medical second opinion is important. Two patients can still go out, go for a walk. But they are very much re-emphasize please do this please help contain this epidemic.