India's top doctors discuss COVID-19 second wave: 'Do not panic', explain why vaccine is important

By Team Newsable | First Published Apr 21, 2021, 6:07 PM IST

The virtual address was attended by AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, Narayana Health Chairman Dr Devi Shetty and Medanta Chairman Dr Naresh Trehan.

With an aim to alert and advise citizens facing worrisome second wave of Covid-19, top most doctors in the medical fraternity on Wednesday addressed the issues related to the infection cases growing in the country.

The virtual address was attended by AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, Narayana Health Chairman Dr Devi Shetty and Medanta Chairman Dr Naresh Trehan.

Tap to resize

Latest Videos

Tap to resize

Issued an advisory Dr Devi Shetty said, "If your oxygen saturation is above 94% then there is no problem. But if it is falling after exercise, then, you need to call a doctor. It's important you get the right treatment at the right time."

"There is a possibility that you may be asymptomatic, then, doctors will tell you to stay at home, isolate yourself, wear a mask and check your oxygen saturation every 6 hours. If you have any symptoms like body ache, cold, cough, indigestion, vomiting- I have one important message- get yourself tested for Covid-19. It is the most important thing."

"In case you are positive, see a doctor and get his opinion. Do not panic, Covid-19 is common now. It is a problem that can be solved provided you get the medical help at an early stage and follow doctor's instructions."

In his address, Dr Randeep Guleria said, "Vaccine does not prevent from getting the infection. Therefore, everyone should maintain Covid appropriate behaviour even after being vaccinated."

Guleria also said that there is no need to panic. "We have to understand that there is no need to panic as the majority of people will recover by taking paracetamol and staying hydrated. Medicines are just for the very few critical cases," Guleria said.

"If we work together, there will be no shortage of oxygen in any state whether it is Maharashtra, Delhi, or Chhattisgarh. Therefore, there is no need to hoard oxygen," Guleria added.

Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, Medanta also reiterated the same as Dr Shetty, saying, "Very few per cent of people will require hospitalisation. But there will be a shortage of hospitals if we panic and become anxious about the pathway we have to follow."

"We have now made a protocol that Remdesivir be given not to everyone who tests Covid-19 positive. Only after doctors look at test results, symptoms, comorbidities of a patient, then, it is to be given. Remdesivir isn’t a ‘Ramban’, it only decreases viral load in people who need it," Dr Naresh Trehan further said.

On the shortage of oxygen in the country, Dr Trehan said, "If you don't need oxygen, don't use it. Hospitals must ensure judicious use of oxygen and we have a collective responsibility to ensure the same."

The address comes at a time when the country witnessed 295,041 Covid-19 cases and 2,023 deaths in the last 24 hours, both being the highest ever since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the data released by the Union ministry of health and family welfare on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, India took only 95 days to administer 13 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine, the fastest country to do so, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. The US took 101 days to administer 13 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine, while China took 109 days to cross the same number, it said.

For more reliable and latest news