With hospitals running out of beds, oxygen and other medical resources, doctors are advising people to avoid panic if they test positive. Most of the COVID-19 positive patients can be treated at home and may not need any additional medical resources like Remdesivir or oxygen. This was shared on a citizen engagement platform of the government based on Dr CS Pramesh, Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, suggestions.
Covid patients getting home treatment should track their fever and oxygen levels along with proper nutrition, abundant fluid intake, yoga and pranayam. For an accurate understanding of the oxygen level, the six-minute walking test in their isolation room is being suggested by doctors.
The test includes noting down the oxygen levels before and after the walk. If there is a more than four per cent fluctuation in the before and after oxygen levels, then hospital admission may be required. This test can be taken 3 times a day and if the reading is normal, then hospital admission may not be required.
Criteria for hospital admission:
# the oximeter shows a reading below 94 per cent
# there is a 4 per cent or more fluctuation in the before and after oxygen levels of the six-minute test
In such cases, the patient should lie face down on their stomach for improved oxygen saturation in the blood. Also if there are no other symptoms than fever, only paracetamol is required.
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The Director of AIIMS, Dr Ramdeep has said that the majority of positive patients will recover without any specific treatment. He said that healthy individuals with oxygen saturation in the range of 93-94 per cent do not need to take high-flow oxygen to maintain optimum saturation level.