• Published on: May 17, 2020
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Contact Tracing During Covid Times

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Testing is quickly becoming a statistic of national pride. Countries are clamoring to test more and more people and increase accessibility for the population to receive testing. We will cover testing, its aims, and its future in a separate blog. Testing people is only half the story. It gives us information on who is infected, but to minimize the spread of infection other measures must be introduced alongside it. Contact tracing is one of these measures.

WHAT IS CONTACT TRACING

Most people who fall ill or test positive for COVID can spread the virus 2-3 days before getting the first symptoms. They can unintentionally infect the people they meet in public or work with. If infected, these people can also spread the infection without knowing it, and this leads to a rapid spread of COVID in the community, as we saw at the start of this pandemic.

Lockdown has been very good at reducing R0 (rate of infection spread), but this is done crudely by physically keeping people separated in their own homes. As R0 reduces and lockdown restrictions ease, this will no longer be feasible. By aggressively testing the population we can identify people who may be infected and instruct them and their household to remain in lockdown.

Contact tracing aims to identify the people who have been in close proximity to a person who has tested positive. This is traditionally done by questioning the infected person about their recent travel, people they met, where they work, and so on. These contacts are then instructed to isolate as well and can be tested to confirm infection. By preventing these potentially infected patients from spreading the infection, the R0 decreases and the second peak in infections is prevented.

This is not a new concept and is used often for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis or sexually transmitted infections. It has also been used in previous pandemics including 2003 SARS outbreak. In 2014 Liberia experienced one of the largest contact tracing efforts in history, with 25,000 people identified annually. Similarly in the US 29,000 people were monitored by state and local health departments after returning from West Africa, and this laid the groundwork for future COVID-19 contact tracing efforts.

The WHO has laid out guidelines for identifying potential contacts, including:

  • Being within 1 metre of a COVID-19 case for >15 minutes;
  • Direct physical contact with a COVID-19 case; 
  • Providing direct care for patients with COVID-19 disease without using proper personal protective equipment (PPE);

COVID TRACING

Today countries have updated their methodology for contact tracing, utilizing technology and smartphones to increase the accuracy and volume of data available to public health officials.

South Korea had contact tracing plans in place due to the MERS epidemic in 2015, and this was built upon for COVID. Contact tracing utilizes smartphone GPS data, credit card transaction records, and surveillance camera footage. At Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, there are walkthrough facilities to test people with symptoms of COVID and follow up those without symptoms in 3 days. New arrivals also have to download a government smartphone app to track their location and provide info on symptoms.

Singapore’s mobile app also utilizes Bluetooth data to determine devices that have been in close proximity to the infected persons’ phone and tracking these devices can identify potential contacts. It has over 1.1 million users, just under one-fifth of the country’s population.

Apple and Google together own almost the entire mobile operating system market with their respective iOS and Android platforms. They have worked together to create a framework that can allow governments to efficiently create and utilize contact tracing apps. Their efforts use Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. Nearby devices that wirelessly “shake hands” create randomly generated codes without any user-identifiable details (name, location etc). Based off Bluetooth data it can provide an estimate on distance and length of contact.  If one of the devices is identified as belonging to an infected person, all devices that have been in close proximity are alerted.

LIMITATIONS

There are limitations present, both with the methodology used and with contact tracing itself. For one, it is quite a laborious and expensive process, and works well when there are low levels of infection in the community. During pandemics, it can quickly overwhelm the contact tracing departments if they are not adequately prepared and provide excessive information that cannot be utilized effectively. It is also not useful during a lockdown, as the lockdown itself artificially lowers infectivity. Instead, it must be implemented once the peak has passed.

Effective contact tracing is also expensive and labor-intensive. The state of Massachusetts has budgeted $44 million for its contact tracing program with 2,000 tracers. If implemented nationally it would cost the US an estimated $3.6 billion and require as many as 300,000 tracers. For app-based contact tracing to work around 80% of the population needs to have the app installed, and we have seen even small countries like Singapore struggle to push past 20%.

Finally, a major issue is a privacy. Poorly coded apps with little transparency can fail to anonymize vital personally identifiable data. This may be accessed by third parties or sold on to others, putting the privacy of millions of people at risk. There are also concerns by privacy watchdogs on the unfettered access by governments to this data, and whether this can be used in an oppressive manor.

If implemented correctly contact tracing has the potential to have a significant impact on reducing infectivity and allowing states and countries to open up their economies quickly and safely. Of course, this depends on the widespread use of contact tracing, and people abiding by government suggestions. Sadly, in the news, it is now too common to see resistance to basic measures such as use of masks in public, so we will have to see whether contact tracing will have any better success.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, UK, Chief Product Officer, Second Medic Inc

www.secondmedic.com

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Food Poisoning in Monsoon

How to Prevent Food Poisoning in Monsoon

Monsoon brings relief from the heat—but along with cool breezes and rains come increased chances of infections, especially food poisoning. The high moisture in the air creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, making food more likely to spoil and cause illness.

In this article, we’ll help you understand how to stay safe with easy, practical tips on how to prevent food poisoning in monsoon.

 

Why Is Food Poisoning So Common in Monsoon?

The damp and humid conditions during the rainy season promote bacterial and fungal growth. This contamination can easily affect the food we eat and the water we drink.

Common causes of food poisoning in monsoon include:

  • Eating contaminated street food
     

  • Drinking unfiltered or untreated water
     

  • Improper storage or refrigeration
     

  • Eating undercooked or reheated leftovers
     

Symptoms can range from mild stomach pain to vomiting, diarrhea, and fever—and can become serious if not treated on time.

 

How to Prevent Food Poisoning in Monsoon: Easy Tips

Let’s go step by step into what you should do (and not do) during this season to avoid foodborne illness:

 

1. Avoid Street Food and Raw Salads

Street vendors often use unclean water and keep food exposed to dust, flies, and pollution. In monsoon, this risk becomes even higher.

What to avoid:

  • Chaat, golgappas, sandwiches from carts
     

  • Cut fruits or raw vegetables sold outside
     

  • Juices from roadside stalls
     

Instead, eat home-cooked meals where you can control the hygiene.

 

2. Drink Only Boiled or Purified Water

Unfiltered water is a major cause of stomach infections during monsoon. Make sure your drinking water is:

  • Boiled for 10 minutes, or
     

  • Filtered using a RO/UV purifier, or
     

  • Packaged from a trusted brand
     

Avoid consuming water-based drinks like sherbets or ice made with unclean water.

 

3. Eat Fresh and Hot Food

In monsoon, bacteria multiply quickly. Avoid eating food that has been left out for hours.

Tips:

  • Eat freshly cooked meals while still warm
     

  • Avoid reheating food multiple times
     

  • Don't leave cooked food at room temperature for more than 2 hours
     

 

4. Refrigerate Perishables Quickly

Your fridge is your best friend in this season—but only if you use it right.

Refrigeration tips:

  • Store cooked food in airtight containers
     

  • Don't keep raw meat and vegetables together
     

  • Use leftovers within 24 hours
     

  • Check for expired or spoiled food regularly
     

 

5. Clean Fruits and Vegetables Properly

Rainwater often brings mud and germs to fresh produce. Even greens from the market can carry bacteria and insect eggs.

Cleaning tips:

  • Wash produce thoroughly with clean water
     

  • Use salt water or vinegar soak for 10–15 minutes to disinfect
     

  • Peel fruits like mangoes and bananas before eating
     

  • Avoid leafy vegetables that are difficult to clean, like spinach and lettuce
     

 

6. Practice Good Kitchen Hygiene

Contamination often starts in your kitchen.

Hygiene habits to follow:

  • Wash hands before and after handling food
     

  • Keep utensils and chopping boards dry and clean
     

  • Don't let water collect on kitchen surfaces
     

  • Wash dish cloths and sponges regularly
     

 

Related Health Checkups to Consider

If you're experiencing stomach problems or want to monitor your digestive health during monsoon, these lab tests (available via SecondMedic powered by Thyrocare) may help:

???? Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Checks for infections or inflammation.

???? Stool Routine & Culture Test

Detects bacterial infections, parasites, or digestive disorders.

???? CRP Test (C-Reactive Protein)

Shows whether your body is fighting an infection.

???? Food Intolerance Test

For people with recurring food-related digestive issues.

All tests come with home sample collection and online report access at www.secondmedic.com.

 

Foods You Can Eat During Monsoon

Here are some healthy, safe food choices during the rainy season:

  • Warm soups and khichdi – light and easy to digest
     

  • Steamed vegetables – safer than raw
     

  • Ginger tea – helps digestion
     

  • Turmeric milk – natural immunity booster
     

  • Boiled eggs or well-cooked lean meat
     

Avoid oily, uncooked, or refrigerated food that’s more than a day old.

 

Conclusion

Monsoon brings beauty, but also bacteria. Staying safe is all about being smart with your food and water. By following simple hygiene rules and eating fresh, clean food, you can enjoy the season without worrying about stomach issues.

Be alert, eat smart, and protect your family by following these tips on how to prevent food poisoning in monsoon.

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