"Symptomatic COVID-19 patients who have "severe pneumonia" with a respiratory rate of 30 breath per minute should be considered for shifting to ICU, according to a clinical management protocol for adult patients suffering from the disease. A COVID-19 patient with sever pneumonia also has an oxygen saturation level (Spo2) of less than 90 per cent, on room air, it said.

An office memorandum, dated June 5, has been issued regarding "Clinical management protocol for adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection" using best practices, ICMR revised national clinical management guidelines and available evidence for patient care, prepared by the Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), the Delhi heath department said.