Go for TB test if cough persists for over 2-3 weeks: Union health ministry

A swab sample being taken at Daryaganj, New Delhi, on Tuesday

The Union health ministry has advised COVID patients to go for tests for tuberculosis and other conditions if cough persists for more than two-three weeks. The revised ‘Clinical Guidance for Management of Adult COVID-19 Patients' issued by AIIMS, ICMR-COVID-19 National Task Force and Joint Monitoring Group under the health ministry has underlined there is no evidence of injectable steroids benefitting COVID patients not requiring oxygen supplementation or in continuation after discharge.

Steroids can have the risk of secondary infection like invasive mucormycosis, when used too early, at higher dose or for longer than required, they highlighted. If cough persists for more than two-three weeks, one should opt for investigation for tuberculosis and other conditions, the revised guidelines stated.

A patient inside a Covid care facility in New Delhi on Tuesday. Pics/PTI

Those having breathlessness with SpO2 fluctuating between 90-93 per cent, can get admitted to a ward, and they will be considered moderate cases. Such patients should be given oxygen support and awake proning should be encouraged in all patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy, in sequential position changes every two hours, the guidelines stated.

The revised norms continue to recommend emergency use authorization (EUA) or off-label use of remdesivir in patients with "moderate to severe" disease and those with no renal or hepatic dysfunction within 10 days of the onset of any symptom.

A health worker tests swab samples for Covid, in Amritsar. Pic/PTI

It warned against use of the drug for patients who are not on oxygen support or in home settings. According to the guidelines, EUA or off-label use of the tocilizumab drug may be considered for use in the presence of severe disease, preferably within 24 to 48 hours of onset of severe disease or intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Tocilizumab may be considered for patients with significantly raised inflammatory markers, and not improving despite use of steroids with there being no active bacterial, fungal or tubercular infection, they stated. Coronavirus patients have been classified into those affected by mild, moderate and severe disease.

Enhance testing, states told

Highlighting that testing has declined in many states in the last few days, the Union Health Ministry has directed the local health departments to increase testing rates keeping in view the case positivity trend.

3,76,18,271
Total no. of Coronavirus cases in India so far

4,86,761
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

17,36,628
Total no. of active cases in India

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