What is Bhilwara model that effectively controlled rapid spread of coronavirus

New Delhi, April 7: Aggressive containment measures by the administration limited the spread of coronavirus in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan that was epicentre of the novel coronavirus. It has impressed the Centre. The Centre may adopt the Bhilwara model as an effective containment strategy to curb the spread of new coronavirus in areas that have been identified as hot spots. Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba on Sunday acknowledged the Bhilwara model as an effective strategy to contain COVID-19 in a meeting with chief secretaries. Bhilwara came to limelight by containing the rapidly growing COVID-19 cases in a short span of time since the first case was reported on March 19. The district has the second highest number of cases in Rajasthan at 27. However, it has reported only one positive case since March 30. How it managed to contain the COVID-19 spread: The Bhilwara district administration imposed a strict curfew, conducted mass screening and identified potential clusters as part of its coronavirus containment strategy. Around 2,000 teams conducted door-to-door campaign and over 28 lakh people were screened during the drive. The administration enforced home quarantine on those who showed flu like symptoms. Then the administration carried out intensive mapping of contacts with effective implementation of curfew, sealing the borders of containment zones and ensuring zero vehicular movement. The measures include an indefinite curfew that was clamped on March 20 before 21-day national lockdown began and it has now imposed an aggressive 11-day-long "all down curfew".