Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5 -- Bhubaneswar: Odisha government's Technical Advisor on COVID-19, Dr Jayant Panda on Monday said that the patients in home isolation can now get the antiviral drug, Favipiravir. The distribution of the drug will start in three cities- Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri.

He said that if Favipiravir is taken in the initial stage of a patient developing symptoms, the viral load can reduce significantly and his/health condition will improve subsequently. On the use of Favipiravir, Panda said the tablets will be given to COVID-19 patients for five days. However, it will not be given to asymptomatic patients, pregnant women and children.

Panda, who is also the HoD of Internal Medicine at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cut...