Management of mild to moderate COVID-19 during the second wave in India: A non-evidence-based approach

Abstract

The biggest public health catastrophe of this century-the SARS coronavirus-2, 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected nearly all countries. Countries after countries were gripped by the intermittent waves of the infection. One of the most affected countries was India, wherein the second wave of the pandemic afflicted the vast swathe of the nation. The medical community was overwhelmed and stressed with the inordinate number of patients. Doctors were inundated with the task of managing all kinds of COVID-19 patients ranging from mildly symptomatic to critically ill, in addition to the non-COVID-19 patients. The life of most of the population was significantly disrupted due to the fear of infection and lockdowns in various places. Due to multiple reasons, physician access was limited for mild to moderately sick patients. During this time, online consultations were at their peak and many groups came forward to help Indian patients. These groups were supported largely by Indian doctors based overseas.