AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday advised people not to panic amidst the second wave of Covid-19 as in a majority of cases those infected “will recover 

by taking paracetamol and staying hydrated. Medicines are just for the very few critical cases.”

At the same time he sounded a note of caution as saying : "Vaccine does not prevent you  from getting the infection. Therefore, everyone should maintain Covid appropriate behaviour even after being vaccinated.”

Dr Guleria was participating in a discussion along with Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health and Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, Medanta in a live streaming session on Wednesday to discuss the second coming of the pandemic.

India’s three eminent  doctors have exhorted people not to panic amid the second wave of Covid-19.  “If you have any symptoms like body ache, cold, cough, indigestion, vomiting- one important message get yourself tested for Covid-19. It is the most important thing."

Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, Medanta also asked people not panic "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."

Remdesivir factor

Dr Trehan said, "We have now made a protocol that remdesivir should not be given 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 Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health asked people to be vigilant,  "check your oxygen level. Consult a doctor on time so that you can be treated on the right time."

Oxygen woes

On the shortage of oxygen in the country, experts once again reiterated that "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.”

"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.