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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
2 minute read
By: Raj Dwivedi

Problems With Detecting The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (1)

The Novel Coronavirus Disease has been in the public eye for almost two months now, and a lot has been happening behind the scenes to understand this new outbreak. Several organizations have been working together with the World Health Organization and Officials from China to understand the symptoms and how the virus causes the disease, track the number of people infected by the virus and put in place public health measures to adequately mitigate the potential dangers this disease can bring with it. In this post we will discuss the new updates to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

IDENTIFYING COVID-19

As of 17 February, there have been 70, 365 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in China, with 1772 deaths, which gives it an estimated fatality rate of 2.5%. Now whilst these are official figures, the actual estimate may differ from this. This is because the areas that have been heavily affected especially the Hubei region, have had shortages of coronavirus testing kits, with demands far outstripping supply. Testing is required to not only identify patients for treatment but also for isolation and quarantine. This is a key step in preventing the rapid spread of disease amongst the population. Understanding the spread of a new disease also helps scientists create accurate disease models that can determine the infectivity, morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, and predict where the infection may strike next. The government authorities can use this information to prepare the surrounding regions, and ensure the impact of the disease is lessened.

Current testing requires swabs to be taken from the patients mouth and throat. This sample is then sent to laboratories, where the viral DNA is replicated in order to identify whether this DNA is from the coronavirus. Unfortunately, this is expensive, uses lots of reagents and can take two days. Even with laboratories working round the clock, running 6,000 tests a day, the workload is outstripping the health departments capacity. This leaves a large population of the Hubei Province with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 but with no way to formally diagnose the disease. There may be a significant under-reporting of cases simply because capacity does not exist to test everyone, and the disease burden may be considerably higher.

INNOVATION IN RESPONSE

In response to this doctors have started using CT scans to identify potentially infected patients. CT scans are a quick, non-invasive and readily available. By looking for lesions and signs of pneumonia in the patients lungs. Whilst this negates the need for testing strips, lesions are a fairly late sign of COVID-19, and so this method is not suitable for those who have recently been infected or have not yet shown these symptoms. In the Hubei Province however, with the drastic shortage of testing kits, clinical and radiological diagnosis is now being used to increase the rate of detection.

Manufacturers are also struggling to increase output of testing kits and reagents to match this demand, and the race is on to develop new rapid testing kits. Beijing has approved seven Biopharmaceutical companies to push forward with fast track development of testing kits. Liferiver, a Shanghai based biotech company, took just 20 days from development of its kit to launch. This process normally takes 3 years. China’s Nankai University announced on Monday a breakthrough in developing a rapid test kit that can identify infection among suspected patients within 15 minutes.

And it’s not just Chinese companies — a Singapore based biotech company has announced a portable kit that can detect the novel coronavirus as well as similar viruses responsible for MERS and SARS in a single 2 hour test. These innovations represent a massive step forward in identifying infected patients early in order to provide them the necessary treatment, and in accurately tracking the spread of the disease.

www.secondmedic.com

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Importance of Regular Health Checkups: Early Detection Saves Lives

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, many individuals prioritise work and family responsibilities while neglecting their own health. However, understanding the importance of regular health checkups is critical for preventing serious medical conditions. Many diseases develop silently without noticeable symptoms, making routine screening essential for early diagnosis and effective treatment.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions are rising across India. Early detection through preventive checkups significantly reduces complications and mortality.

What Are Regular Health Checkups?

Regular health checkups involve:

routine blood tests
blood pressure monitoring
cholesterol screening
organ function tests
lifestyle risk assessments

These assessments help identify abnormalities before they progress into severe conditions.

Why Preventive Healthcare Matters

Preventive healthcare focuses on:

identifying risk factors
detecting disease early
preventing complications

The World Health Organization states that preventive care reduces long-term healthcare burden and improves life expectancy.

Early Detection of Chronic Diseases

Diabetes

India has over 100 million people living with diabetes, according to ICMR data. Many individuals are unaware until complications arise.

Early screening detects:

elevated blood sugar
insulin resistance

Hypertension

NFHS-5 reports that nearly one in four adults in India has hypertension.

Regular monitoring prevents:

stroke
heart attack
kidney damage

Heart Disease

Cholesterol screening identifies risk before symptoms appear.

Timely lifestyle modifications reduce cardiovascular events.

Cancer Screening and Survival Rates

Screenings such as:

mammograms
Pap smears
colon cancer screening

significantly improve survival when disease is detected early.

Monitoring Organ Function

Regular checkups assess:

liver health
kidney function
thyroid levels

Silent organ dysfunction can be detected early.

Benefits of Regular Health Checkups

Reduced Healthcare Costs

Treating advanced disease is more expensive than preventive care.

Improved Quality of Life

Early treatment reduces long-term complications.

Peace of Mind

Knowing health parameters are normal reduces anxiety.

Better Lifestyle Decisions

Screening results motivate healthier habits.

Who Should Get Regular Health Checkups?

adults above 30 years
individuals with family history of chronic disease
smokers
overweight individuals
sedentary professionals

High-risk groups may require more frequent testing.

Frequency of Health Screenings

General recommendation:

Annual checkup for adults
Biannual or quarterly monitoring for high-risk individuals

Doctors personalise schedules based on medical history.

Corporate Health Checkups

Many organisations conduct:

workplace screening camps
employee wellness programs

These initiatives improve workforce productivity and reduce absenteeism.

Preventive Health in India

NITI Aayog highlights preventive healthcare as essential for reducing national disease burden.

Increasing awareness about routine checkups is critical.

Common Tests in Annual Health Packages

Complete blood count
Lipid profile
Fasting blood sugar
HbA1c
Liver function test
Kidney function test
Thyroid profile
Vitamin levels

These tests provide comprehensive health insight.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

Many people avoid checkups because:

they feel healthy
they fear results
they lack time

However, absence of symptoms does not mean absence of disease.

Lifestyle Diseases and Urbanisation

Urban lifestyles contribute to:

sedentary behaviour
poor diet
stress

Regular monitoring counters these risks.

Digital Health and Screening Accessibility

Online booking platforms and home sample collection make preventive care more accessible and convenient.

Technology supports proactive health management.

Building a Culture of Preventive Health

Encouraging:

annual screenings
family health awareness
workplace initiatives

creates healthier communities.

Conclusion

Understanding the importance of regular health checkups is essential for preventing chronic disease and improving life expectancy. Early detection of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and other conditions allows timely treatment and reduces complications. Preventive healthcare is not an expense but an investment in long-term wellbeing. Scheduling routine screenings today can protect health and save lives tomorrow.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Non-Communicable Disease Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Preventive Healthcare Guidelines
NITI Aayog – National Health and Preventive Strategy Reports
Lancet – Early Detection and Disease Prevention Studies

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