KATHMANDU, Feb 23: The use of Remdesivir, an antiviral drug, has been found effective in treating COVID-19 patients in Nepal, a government study shows.
A study conducted by Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) shows that Remdesivir has been successful in treating COVID-19 patients as 84 percent of the patients – moderate and serious ones – recovered and were discharged after getting the antiviral drug.
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“Of the patients given the antiviral drug, at least 84 percent recovered from COVID-19,” according to the statement issued by the NHRC.
A total of 1,315 patients from 30 hospitals were enrolled in the study. Most of them were from Bagmati Province (71.1 percent), followed by Lumbini (12.8 percent), and Province 2 (7.1 percent).
Likewise, the NHRC also studied the use of convalescent plasma therapy on COVID-19 patients. “Of the total 1,315 patients enrolled in the study, 83.6 percent received Remdesivir alone, 5.8 percent received convalescent plasma alone, and 10.6 percent received both Remdesivir and convalescent plasma. Of all patients, 74 percent patients were discharged in good condition, 4.4 percent had side effects, while 21.6 percent patients died,” reads the statement.
