The criteria for hospitalization is hypoxia and or a pneumonitis demonstrated on X-ray. In NYC/North Jersey these patients are almost all started on hydroxychloroquine and Zithromax. Some improve, some don’t and deteriorate. If they end up being intubated in respiratory failure the prognosis is very bad. Among patients who are intubated and in respiratory failure the death rate approaches 70%. the point is that it is best to begin Hydroxychloroquine/zithromax long before there is hypoxia and pneumonitis and long before a confirmatory COVID-19 test result is in hand. The politicians need to let ethical clinicians do what they need to do. They must stop unreasonable restraints on the prescription and dispensing of hydroxychloroquine.
I am well aware of the criteria for hospitalization I am treating this stuff regularly. x-day findings are not a criteria. Hypoxia and clinical risk factors are. In some places the mortality rate of intubated patients may approach 70% others I have heard 50% others less but it is never a good thing to be intubated. I hope it proves to be true that hydroxychloroquine given early or as prophylaxis makes a difference in the disease and I agree the government should stay out of it on either side but that is not what we are discussing here.