Antivirals for the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 in South Africa

Authors

  • R Perumal Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa
  • V Naidoo Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa
  • S Govender Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa
  • T N Gengiah Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1066

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Antiviral, Test-and-treat

Abstract

While the majority of COVID‐19 cases in South Africa (SA) are mild, patients with severe COVID‐19 requiring hospitalisation present with significant morbidity and mortality and place a substantial burden on healthcare services. Given the low vaccine uptake in SA and other low‐ and middle‐income countries in sub‐Saharan Africa, the high prevalence of comorbidities and limited healthcare system capacity, evidence‐based interventions that reduce the risk of severe disease and death should be considered for implementation. Several antiviral classes have been newly developed or repurposed to treat COVID‐19 early after infection to retard progression to severe disease and reduce the risk of death, particularly in the elderly and/or in patients with comorbidities. COVID‐19 antivirals such as remdesivir, nirmatrelvir/ ritonavir and molnupiravir are safe and cost‐effective and have received either full approval or emergency use authorisation from regulators. Using a proposed test‐and‐treat strategy, judicious use of antivirals could be impactful.

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2023-12-04

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Perumal R, Naidoo V, Govender S, Gengiah TN. Antivirals for the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 in South Africa. S Afr Med J [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 4 [cited 2024 Dec. 1];113(12):33. Available from: https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/1066

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