Bengaluru is a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis with a population of over 1.3 crores. While there are other major cities in India that are struggling to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, Bengaluru has been able to restrict its affected numbers to a mere 529 as of 10th June 2020. In fact, till 26th May there were only 274 positive cases, with 149 discharges.
The city has a large ex-pat and foreign traveling population.
Thus, when the cases first came to be reported, schools were shut down as early as by 9th March. The city benefitted by following the contact tracing protocol of Kerala along with extensive use of technology. BBMP and state administration have been acting swiftly, decisively and with abundant caution to safeguard its residents. The administration also placed blockades on all major roads to restrict movement, started contact tracing within 4-5 hours of a patient being diagnosed with COVID-19, sealed the areas where active cases were reported (currently there are 64 containment zones in Bengaluru), set up fever and COVID-19 hospitals, and set up an expert medical panel for better treatment.
Victoria Hospital has been recognized as a role model for the treatment methods adopted, usage of ventilators, and division of patients with and without COVID-19. In addition to this, the hospital made sure that the staff treating patients did not need to leave the premises as accommodation provided on-site.
The battle with COVID-19 is still on but easing up of the lockdown is being witnessed to facilitate the economic activity. However, Bengaluru shall continue its fight with renewed strategies to tackle the crisis.