COVID-19: Here’s what top doctors have to say about surging cases and the battle ahead

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As the country battles the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS-Delhi, Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health and Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, Medanta address issues related to the pandemic in the country.

Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health said, “If your O2 saturation is above 94% then there is no problem. But if it is falling after exercise, then, you need to call a doctor. It’s important you get the right treatment at the right time.”

There is a possibility that you may be asymptomatic, then, doctors will tell you to stay at home, isolate yourself, wear a mask and check your oxygen saturation every 6 hours, he added.

“If you have any symptom like body ache, cold, cough, indigestion, vomiting- I have one important message- get yourself tested for COVID19. It is the most important thing,” Narayana Health chairman said.

Dr Naresh Trehan said, “Today we have enough oxygen if we try to use it judiciously. I want to tell the public that if you don’t need oxygen then don’t use it as a security blanket. Waste of oxygen will only lead to depriving someone who needs it.”

We’ve now made a protocol that Remdesivir to be given not to everyone who tests positive. Only after doctors look at test results, symptoms, comorbidities of a patient, then, it’s to be given. Remdesivir isn’t a ‘Ramban’, it only decreases viral load in people who need it, Dr Trehan added.

With the caseload rising, the country’s health infrastructure has taken a beating. In order to battle this issue, Dr Trehan called for judicious and responsible utilization of hospital beds.

“Less percentage of people require hospitalisation. The hospital beds should be utilised judiciously & with responsibility,” Dr Trehan said.

Talking about the Remdesivir, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS-Delhi said: In COVID, more than 85% of people will recover without any specific treatment in the form of Remdesivir, etc. Most will have symptoms like common cold, sore throat, etc. Over 5-7 days, they’ll recover with symptomatic treatment. Only 15% may go to moderate disease.