Quarterly Scientific COVID-19 Updates: February 2024
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Treatment Offered
The January 25th issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report stated, "Many patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection at high risk for progression are not offered antiviral medication treatment.”5 Researchers gathered information from 110 Veterans Health Administration (VA) patients who had mild-to-moderate symptoms of COVID-19. Because of underlying causes, the patients were at high risk of their symptoms progressing into severe symptoms. All the patients received COVID-19 vaccines. Of those, 22 were offered treatment – they declined, and 88 patients weren’t offered treatment. Providers stated that they didn’t offer treatment to the 88 patients because:
- Symptom duration of >5 days (22.7%)
- Potential drug interaction (5.7%)
- Absence of symptoms (22.7%)
However, nearly half (43) of patients weren’t offered treatment because providers stated they had mild symptoms.5
The findings propose that “education of patients, providers, and medical personnel tasked with follow-up calls, combined with advanced planning in the event of a positive result, might improve the rate of recommended antiviral medication use to prevent severe COVID-19 associated illness, including death.”5
Conclusion
Researchers continue to study and track COVID-19 variants and symptoms. Furthermore, scientists and medical professionals report on the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments. The updated reports of cases, vaccines, and other COVID-19 findings can be found on the CDC and FDA’s websites.
References
- (2020, March 28). COVID Data Tracker. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Cov-Lineages. (n.d.-b).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). SARS-COV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Wastewater COVID-19 National and Regional Trends. (2023, November 3). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 25). Underuse of Antiviral Drugs to Prevent Progression to Severe COVID-19 - Veterans Health Administration, March–September 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Christina Sisti, DPS, MPH, MS, is a bioethicist and health care policy advocate. She works to create awareness and improve healthcare policy for those with long-term health issues.