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COVID-19 in INDIA: Government Allows the Use of Anti-HIV Drugs

COVID-19 in INDIA: Government Allows the Use of Anti-HIV Drugs
COVID-19 in INDIA: Government Allows the Use of Anti-HIV Drugs

With 3 deaths across the country, the government has allowed to administer the medication on patients above the age of 60

Post treatment of two Italian patients with the anti-HIV drug in India, the Union Ministry recommended the use of the antiviral drug on a “case-to-case basis” for patients above the age of 60 as they are now being categorized as “high-risk patients”.  The recommendation came after a 63 year-old man from Mumbai, with a travel history to Dubai, and severe high blood pressure and heart disease conditions, died on March 17 making this the third death in the country due to the virus. The authorities took this step after a 70 year-old woman and her 69 year-old husband, who tested positive for the virus, were consensually administered the combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir, used in the treatment of HIV, recovered in Jaipur.

With fresh cases being reported every day, the total number of positive cases for the novel coronavirus as of March 18 in India is 149 and total number of active cases is 132. India has extended the travel ban on Indian-passport holders residing in the United Kingdom, European Union and Turkey till the end of March. People traveling from Philippines, Malaysia and Afghanistan to India have also been restricted effective immediately.