Latest COVID-19 control protocol optimizes diagnosis, treatment

The latest edition of COVID-19 treatment protocols released on Friday has optimized standards for making diagnoses and discharging patients. It has also expanded offerings of antiviral pills and improved TCM prescriptions for the disease, medical experts said on Saturday.

The document, published by the National Health Commission, said that positive antigen tests will be added as a criteria for diagnosis.

Wang Guiqiang, head of Peking University First Hospital's infectious disease department, said that the elderly - especially those at high risk of becoming serious cases - are suggested to receive antigen or nucleic acid tests after showing suspicious symptoms.

"The addition of antigen tests is important because it can help produce a clear diagnoses," he said during an interview.

"Vulnerable groups testing positive should report their condition to community clinics or family doctors immediately, so that they can receive oxygen therapy or antiviral medications at an early stage," he said.

Wang added that the new protocol has raised the age limit for people deemed at high risk of severity from 60 to 65, and stressed that unvaccinated groups should be given special attention.

Regarding criteria for discharging patients from hospital, Wang said the previous rule of testing negative twice in nucleic acid tests has been dropped.

The document said that doctors can make the decision based on the condition of the patients, such as whether their condition is stable, lung infections have waned and comorbidities are under control.

"In this way, we can help relieve pressure on medical systems and dedicate resources to saving severe and critical patients," he said.

Besides, Wang said that Merck's COVID-19 treatment Molnupiravir, approved by China's top drug regulator on Dec 29, has been included.

"More COVID-19 pills are now available, and the protocol has highlighted administering them to people at risk of worsening at an early phase," he said.

Liu Qingquan, president of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said that TCM specialists have gained experiences in treating severe and critical patients, and upgraded prescriptions in the latest protocol.

TCM, when combined with Western medicine, has been found effective in easing symptoms and accelerating rehabilitation, he said.