A health official said all available medicines for treating Covid-19 symptoms are under study as there is no proven cure yet for the disease.
“Wala naman talagang gamot na mayroon nang ebidensya para masabi natin that we can treat Covid-19 with these drugs,” Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media forum.
She said the medicines being used for treating Covid-19 are all “investigational.”
Vergeire was responding to a question about the recommended medicine for patients with mild to moderate symptoms.
She said mild cases staying at home are given supportive treatment.
“This means we try to support their immune system by giving vitamins and other supplements. We like for them to monitor their temperature, oxygen saturation kapag kailangan na po ng oxygen, nahihirapan na huminga, kailangan muna magpatingin sa doctor bago tayo magbigay ng oxygen o baka kelangan na ma-ospital,” Vergeire said.
While no food or drink is prohibited, individuals infected with Covid-19 are encouraged to eat fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food.
They are also advised to drink enough water because they are at risk of dehydration especially when they have fever.
As for the home care of Covid-19 patients, Vergeire said there is no required setup but it must be connected with telemedicine consultation providers to ensure the public is guided properly.
The Department of Health has six platforms for telemedicine providing consultations for free.
“We want to expand this, we also want to link this to our local government triage systems and to the One Hospital Command Referral System so that we’ll see one whole system,” Vergeire said.
She added they also need to be connected with primary care physicians who can visit those doing home care and have a financing mechanism, thus, the DOH is in discussion with the Philippine Health Insurance Company. – PNA release
