COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia should be considered for shifting to ICUL: protocol

New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) Symptomatic COVID-19 patients who have "severe pneumonia" with a respiratory rate of 30 breath per minute should be considered for shifting to ICU, according to a clinical manment protocol for ult patients suffering from disease.

A COVID-19 patient with sever pneumonia also has an oxygen saturation level (Spo2) of less than 90 per cent, on room air, it said.

An office memorandum, dated June 5, has been issued regarding “Clinical manment protocol for ult patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection” using best practices, ICMR revised national clinical manment guidelines and available evidence for patient care, prepared by Department of Medicine, Maulana Az Medical College (MAMC), Delhi heath department said.

LNJP Hospital, a dedicated COVID-19 facility under Delhi government, is attached to MAMC.

According to protocol, a symptomatic COVID-19 patient with severe pneumonia with a respiratory rate of 30 breath per minute and Spo2 level of less than 90 per cent should be considered for shifting to an ICU.

protocol prepared by MAMC also mentioned that patients with comorbidities, like diabetes, hypertension, should be mand as per existing standard protocol.

demographic factors associated with comorbidities are of 60 and above; obesity with a BMI of over 30 per cent, pre-existing pulmonary disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, immune suppression, HIV infection, pregnancy.

Delhi recorded 1,320 fresh coronavirus cases on Saturday taking COVID-19 tally in city to over 27,000-mark, and death toll due to disease mounted to 761, authorities said.

highest spike in fresh cases -- 1513-- was recorded on June 3.