Omicron Outbreak: Centre Revises Covid-19 Treatment Guidelines For Patients

Last updated on January 21st, 2022 at 07:10 am

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is affecting the country in full swing. As the Covid-19 cases are increasing once again in India, the Union Ministry of Health has revised the guidelines for the treatment of ‘Mild’, ‘Moderate’ and ‘Severe Covid-19’ patients.

 The guidelines were issued by AIIMS ( All India Institute Of Medical Science ), ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) – Covid-19 National Task Force, and Joint Monitoring Group (DGHS).

The latest guidelines by the Union Ministry do not include the use of Antivirals like Molnupiravir and monoclonal antibodies in patients to treat the Covid-19 infection. The ministry also did not approve medicines like ivermectin, favipiravir, and Doxycycline to treat the virus. Remdesivir is to be prescribed only in patients with “moderate to severe” disease. Tocilizumab is to be prescribed only in patients with significantly raised inflammatory markers.

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The guidelines stated that those above 60 years of age, or those who have serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, kidney failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, HIV (Human immunodeficiency viruses) are at high risk for severe disease.

According to the latest guidelines, upper respiratory tract symptoms without shortness of breath or hypoxia have been categorized as a mild disease. People who face breathlessness with SpO2 fluctuating between 90-93 percent, can get admitted to award. That symptom has been categorized as a moderate disease. Oxygen support is recommended for such patients. Under the new guidelines, respiratory rate over 30 per minute, breathlessness or SpO2 lower than 90 percent on room air is considered as a severe disease. They can get admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

The Omicron variant emerged in November 2021. However, the virus spread across the globe like fire. Reportedly, research claims that the Omicron variant is at least twice as contagious as the delta variant of Covid-19.