Review of COVID-19 Management Guidelines

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected many countries across the globe both socially and economically and continues to be a major concern to the healthcare system. The majority of the patient groups that were affected were elderly patients and patients with existing co-morbidities such as such as diabetes; hypertension; cardiovascular disease; lung, liver, and kidney disease; cancer patients on chemotherapy; smokers; transplant recipients; and patients taking steroids etc. who were highly vulnerable and susceptible to the infection. Various protective measures such as quarantine from confirmed and suspected cases, nationwide lockdowns, etc., have been implemented in all the affected countries to contain the spread of the virus. Efforts have also been made to develop effective therapeutic strategies to stop the spread of the disease and minimize its high rates of morbidity and mortality especially considering the rapid evolution of the virus giving rise to different variants. A systematic review of the various guidelines published by well-known organizations such as Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) India and International organizations such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), National Institute of Health (NIH), and World Health Organization (WHO), for the management of COVID-19, was performed and a side-by-side comparison of various important aspects of these guidelines is presented in this review article. The review results showed that, despite minor differences in the terminology used for severity classification, SpO2 levels, quarantine period, and criteria of severity classification these guidelines were mostly similar pertaining to the clinical signs and symptoms of COVID-19, diagnosis and testing criteria, criteria for severity classification, preliminary advice, risk factors, isolation, and methods of prevention of spread – criteria for home quarantine, use of face mask, social distancing, etc. While the majority of the differences noted were mainly in the COVID-19 management strategies and/or treatment recommendations. Overall, besides the limitations, the various guidelines as discussed in this article can still serve as an important tool to healthcare workers and caregivers by providing adequate guidance on the right management of COVID-19 at that time.