Caring for Cancer Patients during Corona Pandemic—(COVID-19)—A Narrative Review

Pratapa, Sree Karthik; Acharya, Sourya; Mamidipalli, Sai Spoorthy; Andhale, Amol

Background Coronavirus disease 2019, the third pandemic of 21st century which has brought the whole world under panic, is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a zoonotic beta coronavirus sharing phylogenetic, genomic similarities with SARS virus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus. Specific Concerns Cancer patients are at double the risk than normal patients since these patients are at immunocompromised state. WHO guidelines advice the patients to plan only emergency hospital visits only till the pandemic persists. Should meet patient/visitors in a well-ventilated room or outdoors and maintain at least 2 m distance between the visitor/patients. It also encourages the patient to refill the prescribed medications in well advance and to stay physically active, if possible. Discussion The World Health Organizations’ isolate, trace, test, treat policy needs to be followed to protect these high-risk patients from this global pandemic.]