Response to COVID-19- Sikkim: No Mountain High Enough

Even the more remote and sparsely populated parts of the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the less populated regions of India. Sikkim, one of the mountainous Himalayan states in north-eastern India, and home of Kangchenjunga, is also infected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of Sikkim, which has a relatively high literacy rate, succeeded in ensuring zero COID-19 cases till 22nd May 2020 by adopting stringent prevention measures in the state. However, the next day, a student who had returned from New Delhi to Sikkim was reported as the first case. As of 22nd July total confirmed cases numbered 438, out of which 112 have recovered, with not a single death reported yet.

Early preparedness for the crisis

The Government of Sikkim took various timely decisions even before the declaration of a nationwide lockdown in India. Attention was focused on the need for community surveillance, responsible use of social media, medical training and preparedness of medical staff, as initial precautionary measures to combat COVID-19. Despite having a high dependency on tourism, Sikkim decided to keep its doors closed for the tourists till October 2020. The first of the measures directed by the health ministry was to establish community surveillance via the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, through State and District Surveillance Units. There was an emphasis on ensuring inter-departmental coordination, while some significant decisions were taken up by the relevant departments. Awareness and community sensitization programmes were initiated in all districts across Sikkim with the involvement of NGOs/CSOs.

Community Awareness and Sensitization

As part of sanitization, administrative buildings and public spaces were disinfected as advised by the WHO and Government of India, and the Animal and Husbandry Department started examining livestock and meat entering through the statechr("39")s borders. In anticipation of possible transmission of COVID-19 within the state, the Health Department set up health systems, services and interventions as instructed by the Union Health Ministry. In addition to this, during early February, different trainings were taken up and also imparted by health officials within the state. A provision also was made for the provision of insurance for frontline workers.

The key decisions taken by the Government of Sikkim helped the state to control the epidemic to a large extent. Every individual entering the state is required to compulsorily download the AarogyaSetu Mobile App8 as a prerequisite for travel permits, for public safety, comprehensive and further preparedness. Though the various measures adopted by the State have so far allowed a considerable control of panic within the population, some significant challenges remain. As tourism provides a major share of livelihood for the residents of Sikkim, preparing the state to welcome back tourists, while also taking measures to control the pandemic, will be a huge challenge.

The Way Forward

The case of Sikkim presents a good opportunity to understand the implications of a proactive and precautionary approach to management of crisis. While in-depth studies can be carried out later to analyse the intricacies of each initiative and its subsequent impacts, what stands out presently is that these measures have offered breathing space for different departments to reorganise themselves in the

wake of a global health crisis, while curtailing the spread of positive COVID-19 cases within the State. The case of Sikkim presents a good opportunity to understand the implications of a proactive and precautionary approach to management of crisis. While in-depth studies can be carried out later to analyse the intricacies of each initiative and its subsequent impacts, what stands out presently is that these measures have offered breathing space for different departments to reorganise themselves in the wake of a global health crisis, while curtailing the spread of positive COVID-19 cases within the State. https://ndma.gov.in/en/media-public-awareness/covid-19-case-studies.html