Publication:

Management of COVID-19 patients, with emphasis on limited resource setting: is less optimum?

Background There is scarcity of essential medications, medical talent and health care facilities to treat covid-19, at remote places. This study explores various modalities in resource-limited settings for the management of COVID-19 patients.

Methods We retrospectively analysed data of 266 consecutive discharged and death Covid-19 patients from 26December 2020 to 29May 2021. All patients were admitted and received appropriate supportive care, regular clinical and laboratory monitoring.

Results Of total 266 patients the mean age of patients was 49.19 (SD 14.1) years and 185 (69.54%) of them were males. 99 (37%) cases were moderate, 83(31%)were severe cases remaining 84 (32%) were mild cases. 16 (6.01%) patients expired and remaining 250 patients were subsequently discharged. Median duration of stay in the hospital was 9 (37) days. Of total 266 admitted patients’ mortality rate was only 6.01%.

Conclusions We emphasize that even in healthcare facilities with limited resource, poor infrastructure and lack of ICU facilities, clinical observation-based managementt can help to reduce mortality considerably. Unique features of our study include; use of progesterone as an immunomodulator, use of dual antiviral agents, use of age-related lower limit of oxygen saturation.