New discharge rules for isolation centres

DUBAI EASES TEST CRITERIA FOR ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS

Asymptomatic patients, or those who have had no fever for three days, can be discharged from isolation centres without a negative swab test, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said.

The DHA yesterday issued new guidelines on discharge procedures at isolation centres.

Asymptomatic, or patients with mild symptoms can be discharged if their temperature is below 37.5 degrees Celsius without medication for three days, and there is no respiratory distress for 72 hours.

However, all patients must complete 14 days of quarantine calculated from the first Covid-19 positive test, or onset of symptoms as determined by a doctor. The 14 days need not be at an isolation facility.

Two consecutive negative tests for health workers

However, these rules don’t apply to health care professionals, who must undergo two consecutive negative swab tests, 24 hours apart, before being given a clean chit.

Protocol in infected cases

Patients brought in with symptoms — moderate, severe and critical — need two consecutive respiratory specimens negative tests, 24 hours apart, to be discharged. They must also not have fever for more than three days without the use of medication.

Home quarantine rules

All patients discharged in this category have to be self isolated at home for seven days and have documented sick leave. They have to get tested after two weeks and will get final clearance if asymptomatic.

Optimum use of facilities

Dr Kavita Krishnan, head of laboratory at Prime Health Care, said: “This is being done as per new medical research on how long does a patient remain infectious. This will ensure optimal utilisation of isolation as well as testing facilities.”

Dr Krishnan explained that health care professionals needed two negative negative swab tests because they deal with vulnerable and immuno-compromised patients. “Therefore they need to be completely cleared before they get back to work,” she said.

Stranded Indians in the UAE looking for repatriation on charter flights should not make payments in advance to anyone till they get final approval, the Indian Consulate in Dubai said in an advisory issued yesterday.

“Organisations, who wish to organise a general chartered flight, are advised not to accept ticket charges or other charges, from the passengers till final approval is conveyed by the consulate for such flight(s),” the mission said in the advisory posted on social media.

“Similarly, the general public is also advised not to pay money to anyone who promises a seat on a flight till they get information about final approval for the same from the consulate,” the advisory stated.

The consulate said it will publish the list of general chartered flights which have been approved by the government of India.

The cost for the chartered flights as well as seven days’ institutional quarantine for passengers should be borne by the organisation hiring the flight, the advisory said.