Govt allows Covid patients with mild, no symptoms to remain at home
NEWDELHI: People with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the pre-symptomatic stage or show mild symptoms can be isolated at home as long as they have enough space to avoid contact with other residents, according to a new Unionhealthministryguidelines issued on Monday.
The guidelines appear in line with the practice in several nations such as United Kingdom, where people are advised to reach out to hospitals if they have trouble breathing or other serious conditions.
The decision on if a person is fit for home isolation will be decided by the treating doctor and surveillance officer. According to existing guidelines, all positive cases are isolated and treated at a facility. Patients are categorised as very mild or mild, moderate or severe, and accordingly admitted to a Covid care centre, a dedicated Covid health center or a dedicated Covid hospital respectively.
NEWDELHI:Covid-19 patients who are pre-symptomatic or show mild symptoms can be isolated at home as long as they have enough space to avoid contact with other residents, according to a new Union health ministry guidelines issued on Monday. Whether a person can is fit for home isolation will be decided by the treating doctor and surveillance officer. According to existing guidelines, all positive cases are isolated and treated at a facility.
Once examined by a doctor, a patient is categorised as very mild or mild, moderate or severe, and accordingly admitted to a Covid care centre, a dedicated Covid health center or a dedicated Covid hospital respectively. A Covid care centre is not a hospital but a facility created in hotels, hostels, lodges and, in some areas.
“Since in about 80% of the cases, symptoms are mild, these people can stay in their own house. However, there are detailed do’s and don’ts that these people would need to follow to be allowed to stay at home, which includes being close to a hospital in case symptoms worsen and they need medical care,” said a senior health ministry official, asking not to be named. “These people will be constantly be under observation of a district surveillance officer .”
The caregiver and close family contacts, will also have to take the anti-malaria drug hydroxy chloroquine as per protocol and be strictly under the supervision of a medical officer. The Aarogya Setu mobile application must be installed on the patient’s phone