Srinagar, Aug. 7 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its clinical guidelines, advising against the use of antibiotics for COVID-19 patients - even in severe cases - unless there's clear evidence of a bacterial infection.

The new recommendations are based on a recent meta-analysis that found no benefit from antibiotics when no bacterial co-infection is suspected. WHO emphasizes this applies to both non-severe and severe COVID-19 cases.

As the pandemic landscape shifts - with lower infection rates, less severe illness, and the integration of COVID care into regular health systems - the WHO says guidelines must evolve too. Many earlier emergency-focused recommendations are now being phased out or refined.

One major driver b...