Protecting Medical Community From COVID-19: Do’s And Don’ts

COVID-19 is currently a global health crisis of grave and uncertain magnitude. The total number of positive cases is increasing worldwide, and the pandemic is challenging even the best healthcare systems of the world. The health care professionals (HCPs) are at the front line of outbreak response to COVID-19, and their life is at stake while trying to save patients from the deadly virus. The present article highlights some of the laboratory diagnosis guidelines, infection control measures and clinical management protocols for the HCPs.

Laboratory diagnosis guidelines: Sample collection Preferred sample: Throat and nasal swab should be collected in viral transport media (VTM) and transported on ice. Alternate: Nasopharyngeal swab, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), or endotracheal aspirate should be mixed with VTM and transported on ice. General guidelines for sample collection Trained HCPs…