51% residents rate Uttar Pradesh Government’s handling of COVID 2nd wave as effective

June 30, 2021, New Delhi: The 2nd wave of SARS-CoV2 that caused havoc in the months of April and May has tested the pulse of every State Government of the country and their efficiency to handle the outbreak vis-à-vis Governance. Just when the country had started to recover from the 1st wave of the pandemic, the COVID-19 and its variants started taking a toll at an unprecedented pace, from the highest 97,400 daily spike (September 10th, 2020) to less than 10,000 cases (1st week, February 2021), which then increased close to 47,000 (3rd week, March) and reached its peak to more than 412,000 cases (1st week, May 2021). The wailing sound of ambulances ferrying COVID patients for days and nights had been a routine at the time. Most hospitals in cities crumbled to provide adequate treatment to those patients waiting in line for the treatment due to an increase in cases. Even crematoriums in major cities ran out of space as bodies were brought for final rites. Overall, the 2nd wave of the pandemic has caused a devastating effect on India and its citizens that will be etched for many years to come.

From the daily COVID cases of around 100-200 during the end-February, Uttar Pradeshstarted to experience a sudden surge in the test positivity rate that reached its peak on April 27 with a 34,813 single-day spike. The state’s positivity rate was 16.7% in the same period. As cases were rising, there was utter chaos across the city’s hospitals facing acute shortages of oxygen cylinders & concentrators, ICU beds, Covid management medicines, COVID test facilities, related supplies and equipment as well as malfunctioning ventilators.

Uttar Pradesh with its high population and poor health infrastructure got severely impacted by COVID 2nd wave with many people in rural Uttar Pradesh losing their lives. Images of dead bodies on the shores of Ganga made headline around the world. However, it is noteworthy that despite the gap between demand and supply for healthcare at the peak of COVID 2 nd wave, Uttar Pradesh was able to reduce 95% of activecases within a month, crediting the Test-Trace-Treat (T3) model. The CM also introduced Team 11, a centralised power structure comprising ten of the topmost officials in the state to handle the COVID situation.

The Uttar Pradesh Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath imposed full lockdown and restriction on public movement since April 30 to contain and mitigate the COVID spread across the state. In the aftermath of lockdown in the state, the COVID-19 daily cases have now come down steadily, along with a decline in the test positivity ratio. There has also been an increase in the availability of ICU beds and ventilators in both private and public hospitals, and the vaccination drive is in full swing.

In the aftermath of all the developments in the 2 months of the 2nd wave of COVID-19, LocalCircles has gone back to the citizens of Uttar Pradesh asking them to rate their State Government’s performance in the overall handling of the 2nd wave of COVID-19This allows both the broader citizenry and the Government to understand where things stand and what needs to be worked upon. This is vital to effectively handle the 3rd wave, which is likely to hit India in 6-8 weeks, as suggested by experts. Medical experts have warned about a new, more infectious Delta Plus variant and emphasised on the importance of continuing to wear a double mask, follow proper hygiene, and maintain social distance. The survey received 5,942 responses from people residing in Uttar Pradesh.

51% Uttar Pradesh residents rate Uttar Pradesh Government’s handling of COVID 2nd wave as effective

The question in the survey asked, “How do you rate your State (Uttar Pradesh) Government’s handling (availability of testing, containment, hospital beds, oxygen, medicines etc) of the second wave?” In response, 32% said “very effective” and 19% said “effective.” Breaking down the poll, 13% said “somewhat effective,” 15% said “ineffective” and 19% said “total failure” while 2% couldn’t say. The survey received 5,942 responses. The aggregate response indicates that 51% of Uttar Pradesh residents rate the Uttar Pradesh Government’s handling of COVID 2nd wave as effective.

Though a lot still needs to be done in Uttar Pradesh, the majority of the residents of Uttar Pradesh after what they witnessed in the last 2-month period are satisfied with the Uttar Pradesh Government’s handling of COVID 2nd wave in the state. This is evident with 51% of Delhi residents rating the State Government’s handling of COVID 2nd wave as effective. As Uttar Pradesh Government works on getting ready to handle the 3rd wave, it is critical that all aspects starting from testing, containment, hospital beds availability, readiness to handle child cases of COVID, doctors and medical staff, equipment like ventilators, BIPAP machines, concentrators, medicines and all things COVID are available in sufficient quantities. Also, it is critical that information flow is significantly improved and centralised such that citizens call a single number and based on their condition, location, preferences, budget are assigned the right hospital. Similarly, it is key that the patient information dissemination is streamlined, and hospitals can communicate with the family on the patient’s current health condition in a timely manner.

Ranking of Indian States in handling 2nd Wave of COVID-19

Overall, findings of the LocalCircles’ survey indicate that Uttar Pradesh ranked 3rd amongst 17 states of India where 51% of residents have rated the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s handling of COVID 2nd wave as high. The ranking of Indian states in handling the 2nd wave of COVID-19 indicate that Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh residents have rated their respective State Governments’ handling of COVID 2nd wave as high. Meanwhile, rating of Bihar and West Bengal were the lowest

National Press Release

Survey Demographics

The survey received 5942 responses from people residing in Uttar Pradesh. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.