Clinical Management and Treatment

In severe COVID-19 cases, treatment should be given to support vital organ functions. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Healthcare personnel should care for patients in an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR). Precautions must be taken by the healthcare professional, such as contact precautions and airborne precautions with eye protection.

Individuals with a mild clinical presentation may not require primary hospitalization. Close monitoring is needed for the persons infected with COVID-19. Elderly patients and those with prevailing chronic medical conditions such as lung disease, heart failure, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, diabetes, liver disease and immunocompromising conditions and pregnancy are risk factors for developing severe illness. Management includes implementation of prevention and control measures and supportive therapy to manage the complications, together with advanced organ support.

Corticosteroids must be avoided unless specified for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or septic shock, as it is likely to prolong viral replication as detected in MERS-CoV patients.