Remdesivir only for moderate to severely affected: Centre

The Centre on Friday specified the conditions for the administration of the Remdesivir drug. The drug should be used only in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and not for those who are not on oxygen support or those in home settings. Furthermore, it must be administered only to those with no renal or hepatic dysfunction within 10 days of the onset of any symptom.

Remdesivir must be "used in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and those with no renal or hepatic dysfunction within 10 days of onset of any symptom", said the clinical guidance issued by the Union health ministry for the management of COVID-19 infection in adult patients.

As per the guidelines, the Tocilizumab drug may also be considered in severe cases, preferably within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of severe disease/ ICU admission. It may be used in cases of significantly raised inflammatory markers (CRP &/or IL-6), or if the condition is not improving despite the use of steroids and there is no active bacterial/fungal/tubercular infection.

Those above 60 years of age, with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and other immunocompromised states are at high risk for severe disease and mortality. While home isolation and care are recommended for mild disease, ward admission is recommended for those with moderate disease and ICU for those with severe COVID-19, the guidelines read.