Role of the Epidemiologist in the Containment of COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 virus is a novel virus that is zoonotic and has infected more than two million people with over Three hundred people who died from the pandemic. The virus has been declared a pandemic by the W.H.O overwhelming the health system and capacity of many countries with known cases of death of health workers and non-health workers alike. The virus can be prevented through adequate personal and respiratory hygiene and maintaining social distancing at this point in time. Although doctors and nurses might be the frontline and visible image of health workers in the ongoing battle against the virus, there are other health workers behind the scene like epidemiologists working round the clock to control this current pandemic Epidemiologist deals with data and data is the focal point in the prevention and control of diseases. Epidemiologists are involved in the Surveillance, Identification and Monitoring of Outbreaks, conducting researches and evaluating policies geared at Outbreaks. Problems associated with Data are the major constraints of an Epidemiologist. Efforts are currently ongoing by various health personnel to control the virus and provide vaccines for the treatment of the disease.