Covid-19: Assam's positivity rate surges to 7.67%, 63 deaths in a week

GUWAHATI: The Covid-19 positivity rate in Assam surged to 7.67%, prompting the health department to revise the treatment protocol and prevent severity among those at an early stage of contracting the infection.
Over the past week, the cumulative number of positive cases has gone up by about 20,000 in the state.
While on August 29, the total positive cases stood at 1,03,794, with 22,432 active cases, the corresponding figures were 1,23,922 (total cases) and 28,507 (active cases) when the numbers were declared on September 5. The death toll in the state also surged from 289 on August 29 to 352 by September 5, while the positivity rate surged from 6.58% to 7.67% during this period.
Meanwhile, ivermectin and doxycycline — two affordable medicines — have replaced hydroxychloroquine for treating patients. “A decision has been taken to go ahead with more aggressive treatment. Ivermectin and doxycycline doses will now be given to all Covid-positive patients from day one after they test positive. It’s a five-day course and is not very expensive, but studies have shown its effectiveness.
Most importantly, it will help in clearing the virus at an early stage and is expected to prevent health complexions,” director of medical education, Assam, Anup Kumar Barman, told TOI on Sunday.
The two vital medicines were not used during treatment earlier and vitamin supplements were mostly prescribed to patients, if found asymptomatic.
Initially, ivermectin and doxycycline will be available free of cost. “Those who are being hospitalised as well as those going for home isolation will be given the tablets, whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. The vitamin supplements-supportive treatment will continue,” Barman added.
He said the health department’s aim was to prevent the health condition of patients from worsening. Health officials said ivermectin and doxycycline were easily available in the market and were inexpensive unlike remdesivir, the antiviral drug that had shown promise in Covid treatment.
According to the revised protocols, use of remdesivir starts if oxygen requirement increases. Though remdesivir is not used for all Covid patients, Barman said ivermectin and doxycycline doses will start immediately after a person is found to have tested positive. On Convalescent Plasma Therapy (CPT) too, the revised treatment protocol for Covid-19 patients stated, “If oxygen requirement is increasing, start CPT.”
Director, National Health Mission, Assam, Lakshmanan S, said remdesivir and plasma therapy were being given to patients in the moderate-severe stage. However, the plan is to prevent deterioration of the health conditions by providing ivermectin and doxycycline before the situation deteriorates. “Whatever stock (of ivermectin and doxycycline) is there in the market, we will be procuring immediately and disbursing,” said Lakshmanan.
Health department sources said supplying the two medicines to all parts of the state may take a few days after the revised protocols were finalised on September 4.