Health workers prepare a COVID-19 isolation ward amid a rise in COVID-19 and H3N2 cases at the Government Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad on March 18, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
The COVID-19 National Task Force of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday released revised clinical guidelines for the management of adult COVID-19 patients.
As per the new guidelines, convalescent plasma therapy and drugs including lopinavir-ritonavir, molnupiravir, favipiravir, azithromycin and doxycycline are not to be used for treatment.
“Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of co-infection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections should be considered. Systemic corticosteroids in mild illness is not indicated,” the revised guidelines said.
The task force says physical distancing, use of masks indoors, hand hygiene, symptomatic management (hydration, anti-pyretics, antitussives), monitoring temperature and oxygen saturation (with pulse oximeter) are important, while staying in touch important with the treating physician.
Patients are advised to seek immediate medical attention if there is difficulty in breathing, high fever/severe cough, especially if it persists for more than five days.
