Last Updated: Turkey Medics: Alternative Virus Care Improves Survival As Turkey battles to rein in a spike in COVID-19 infections, medics believe an alternative method of treatment is improving the survival rates of patients admitted with the disease. As Turkey battles to rein in a spike in COVID-19 infections, medics believe an alternative method of treatment is improving the survival rates of patients admitted with the disease. The Associated Press visited two intensive care units in Istanbul on Saturday that are on the frontline of treating serious cases. Staff say they are seeing better results through "extubation", or external tubation, which involves applying pressurized oxygen to the lungs.