Top Doctors Discuss Steps To Tackle Covid-19, AIIMS Director Says ‘Don’t Consider Remdesivir As Magic Bullet’

Asserting those in isolation at home or in hospital do not really need any treatment in panic, Dr Guleria said only small percentage require Remdesivir, adding “don’t consider this as a magic bullet”.

Photo: AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria (ANI)

New Delhi: The Covid-19 infection has taken a formidable form in the country and the spike in cases have raised concerns of both the Centre and various state governments. In this hour of crisis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Guleria, Narayana Health Chairman Dr Devi Shetty and Medanta Chairman Dr Naresh Trehan discussed the second wave of the pandemic highlighting why vaccine is important.

Remdesivir Is Not Magic Bullet

Asserting those in isolation at home or in hospital do not really need any treatment in panic, Dr Guleria said only small percentage require Remdesivir, adding “don’t consider this as a magic bullet”.

Dr Guleria said more than 85 percent 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 five to seven days, they will recover with symptomatic treatment. Only 15 percent may go to moderate disease,” he added.

READ: India’s Cumulative Covid-19 Vaccination Coverage Exceeds 13 crore, Over 21 Lakh Active Cases

Remdesivir Is Not ‘Ramban’

Dr Trehan on his part said Remdesivir is not a ‘Ramban’, adding it only decreases viral load in the people who need it.

The Medanta Chairman said less percentage of people require hospitalisation.

“The hospital beds should be utilised judiciously and with responsibility. This responsibility rests on all of us,” he added.

Body Ache, Cold, Cough, Indigestion, Vomiting - Get Yourself Tested

Meanwhile, Dr Shetty advised the people to isolate themselves on witnessing signs of corona and stay at home.

He also asked the people to themselves tested in case of any symptoms body ache, cold, cough, indigestion and vomiting.

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

READ: Death Toll At A Nashik Hospital Rises To 24 After Oxygen Tanker Leakage; Inquiry Ordered

Over 21 Lakh Active Cases

The suggestions come as the Covid-19 pandemic is continuously breaking the records of fresh cases and deaths. There are 21,57,000 active cases in India currently i.e. twice the number of maximum active cases last year. Ten states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan, report 76.32 percent of the new cases.