More recoveries seen from shortened quarantine

The Department of Health (DOH) is expecting to see more recoveries from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) when the second quarantine period for patients who recovered from the virus is shortened to seven days.

At a press briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they will be able to “tag” more recoveries if the survivors would undergo only a seven-day quarantine at home or at any “step down” facility after they were discharged from hospitals or isolation centers.

“We are studying now if we can cut short the additional quarantine period from 14 days to seven days. This is because some two weeks ago, there were evidence that after 10 days (of illness), a patient becomes noninfectious,” she noted.

Vergeire added that because of this development, the DOH had modified its testing protocol so that a “repeat test” will no longer be required before a confirmed COVID-19 patient could be discharged from a health facility.

With the new protocol, which is in line with World Health Organization guidelines, a patient could be discharged 10 days after symptom onset plus at least three additional days without symptoms. A repeat test is no longer necessary.

Prior to this, a discharged patient must undergo a 14-day quarantine period at home or at any “step down” facility, aside from the 14-day quarantine period that they have to take while being managed at a hospital.

Vergeire clarified that the original quarantine period of 14 days at hospital still remains.

Previously, a repeat test with negative results and completion of the 14-day home quarantine were the bases in tagging a patient as recovered.

“There are times, however, when it takes time for the test results to come out. Sometimes, a patient would not turn negative because the PRC (polymerase chain reaction) test is so sensitive that it can detect even the remnants of the virus.

“We expect to see more recoveries as we no longer use the tests as a basis for recoveries. With this the tagging of recoveries will speed up,” Vergeire added.

Meanwhile, the DOH has reiterated that there are protocols that must be observed for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) who will return to their hometown.

Vergeire said there are “qualification criteria” in determining LSIs who could come home under the guidelines issued by DOH and the National Task Force on COVID-19.

“First of all, they have to complete a 14-day quarantine period before they leave for their destination. They have to be assessed by a doctor who will say if they are suspect, probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19,” she noted.

Vergeire added that an LSI will have to secure a medical clearance and certificate from the municipal or city health officer “from where they are coming from.”

There are also administrative procedures that have to be undertaken.

“Of course this must be coordinated with concerned agencies like the local government units in their areas of destination, because there are other aspects involved, like transportation, money for their food while in transport. We have protocols for things like these,” she maintained.