Bengaluru: Dr.C.N. Manjunath, Cardiologist and Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, has said the use of antiviral drug Remdesivir has been very effective in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Participating in a virtual panel discussion on Infectious Diseases Control organised by e-Health magazine published by Elets Technomedia recently, he said the use of this antiviral in initial days has helped in recovery of many Corona positive patients. “In our Institute, as many as 300 persons including teaching faculty and staff had contracted this virus. They were immediately treated with a combination of Remdesivir and other drugs which helped them to recover.”

He described as “quite satisfactory” the experience of seven renowned Pulmonologists, who are also part of the State’s Expert Committee on COVID-19 treatment. These Pulmonologists treat hundreds of patients on a daily basis. However, this may not be suitable for those patients who are sick and on ventilator. But this definitely helps in recovery of Coronavirus at early stages and avoid on admission to hospitals. The price of Remdesivir was low in June – July and now it has increased.

Contending that healthcare scenario in the State was progressing positively, Dr. Manjunath said Physicians engaged in the treatment of COVID-19 now have confidence that most of the infected patients will recover as about 90 per cent of the positive cases had been cured on their own or through simple treatment. Only  8 per cent required oxygen, he added.

He also made out a case for paying parallel attention to non-COVID-19 cases. “We are talking only about COVID-19, but a lot of non-COVID patients too are suffering today,” he said while pointing out that a study had indicated that several people were dying due to cardiac and renal issues.