Post lockdown measures
There is likely to be a protracted period of close vigilance required
before the current COVID pandemic resolves or when the presence of an
effective vaccine becomes widely available. The strict lockdown measures
are already being gradually lifted in several Asian countries. However,
requirements of social distancing as well as the above measures
recommended are likely to be relevant. Increased number of pre-testing
of patients with aortic stenosis for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic
COVID 19 infections prior to intervention may further mitigate the risks
to healthcare workers. When the number of COVID-19 infections are kept
under control and when hospital and intensive care resources become less
overwhelmed, a cautious approach to increase the capacity for the number
of patients treated should be considered in tandem with guidance from
local public health experts.