<p>A top government health expert on Monday advocated wearing masks even at home given the sharp surge in Covid-19 cases, particularly so when there is an infected person at home.</p>.<p>At the same time, government health experts also rushed to calm public nerves saying that 85 per cent Covid-19 patients can be treated at home and there was no need to flock hospitals or stock medicines such as Remdesivir as it was leading to shortages.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-reports-worlds-largest-daily-rise-with-352-lakh-covid-19-cases-2812-deaths-978977.html" target="_blank">India reports world's largest daily rise with 3.52 lakh Covid-19 cases, 2,812 deaths</a></strong></p>.<p>“If there is a Covid-19 positive case in the family, it is very important that the person wears a mask even indoors because the virus can spread to others at home. I would rather go on to say that the time has come that we start wearing masks at home even otherwise,” V K Paul, member (health), NITI Ayog, told reporters.</p>.<p>AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria advised against stocking of medicines and oxygen cylinders in anticipation of getting infected and cautioned against taking medicines prescribed for Covid-19 before onset of symptoms.</p>.<p>“This may cause more harm than good,” he told reporters.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/centre-wont-import-covid-19-vaccines-to-leave-it-to-states-report-979123.html" target="_blank">Centre won't import Covid-19 vaccines, to leave it to states: Report</a></strong></p>.<p>Guleria said given the surge in Covid-19 cases, if a person tests negative in RT-PCR test in spite of showing symptoms, he or she should be considered positive and consult a doctor.</p>.<p>He also cautioned against misuse of oxygen at home as well as hospitals saying 94-95 levels of saturated oxygen levels were good enough and there was no need to use oxygen concentrators to raise it to 98-99.</p>.<p>“Before pandemic, we have managed patients with these machines at 88-90. If it is below 94, consult your doctor,” he said.</p>.<p>Guleria said the unnecessary panic was leading to hoarding of drugs and misuse of valuable medical resources.</p>.<p>On drugs required for treatment of Covid-19, Guleria pointed out that the clinical management plan recommended use of paracetamol, ivermectin, HCQS and budesonide inhalation if congestion and cough persist beyond five days.</p>
<p>A top government health expert on Monday advocated wearing masks even at home given the sharp surge in Covid-19 cases, particularly so when there is an infected person at home.</p>.<p>At the same time, government health experts also rushed to calm public nerves saying that 85 per cent Covid-19 patients can be treated at home and there was no need to flock hospitals or stock medicines such as Remdesivir as it was leading to shortages.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-reports-worlds-largest-daily-rise-with-352-lakh-covid-19-cases-2812-deaths-978977.html" target="_blank">India reports world's largest daily rise with 3.52 lakh Covid-19 cases, 2,812 deaths</a></strong></p>.<p>“If there is a Covid-19 positive case in the family, it is very important that the person wears a mask even indoors because the virus can spread to others at home. I would rather go on to say that the time has come that we start wearing masks at home even otherwise,” V K Paul, member (health), NITI Ayog, told reporters.</p>.<p>AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria advised against stocking of medicines and oxygen cylinders in anticipation of getting infected and cautioned against taking medicines prescribed for Covid-19 before onset of symptoms.</p>.<p>“This may cause more harm than good,” he told reporters.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/centre-wont-import-covid-19-vaccines-to-leave-it-to-states-report-979123.html" target="_blank">Centre won't import Covid-19 vaccines, to leave it to states: Report</a></strong></p>.<p>Guleria said given the surge in Covid-19 cases, if a person tests negative in RT-PCR test in spite of showing symptoms, he or she should be considered positive and consult a doctor.</p>.<p>He also cautioned against misuse of oxygen at home as well as hospitals saying 94-95 levels of saturated oxygen levels were good enough and there was no need to use oxygen concentrators to raise it to 98-99.</p>.<p>“Before pandemic, we have managed patients with these machines at 88-90. If it is below 94, consult your doctor,” he said.</p>.<p>Guleria said the unnecessary panic was leading to hoarding of drugs and misuse of valuable medical resources.</p>.<p>On drugs required for treatment of Covid-19, Guleria pointed out that the clinical management plan recommended use of paracetamol, ivermectin, HCQS and budesonide inhalation if congestion and cough persist beyond five days.</p>
