How Covid patients can end home isolation in Abu Dhabi

THESE INDIVIDUALS SHOULD STILL AVOID PUBLIC AND WORKPLACES

Covid-19 patients in Abu Dhabi, who are asymptomatic, may be allowed to end home isolation after 10 days — even if they receive a positive test result. These patients should still avoid public places and workplaces, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has reminded.

A number of assessment centres have been designated where patients can present for de-isolation assessment and removal of tracker watches on Day 10, as long as they are asymptomatic, and if there is a delay in conducting the PCR tests by the homecare provider. These are:

Abu Dhabi city: Al Mafraq Hospital, ADNEC.

Al Ain: Al Ain Convention Centre in Al Khbaisi. Al Dhafra: Al Dhafra Hospitals, Madinat Zayed Centre.

Who is a confirmed Covid-19 case?

A person with a positive PCR test result for Covid-19, irrespective of clinical symptoms, is considered to be a confirmed case. It is important to note that the result should be from an approved medical facility.

Once a person tests positive for Covid-19, the individual should head to a designated medical centre for a second PCR-test and medical evaluation. If this second PCR test is also positive, the individual will be instructed to isolate at home or at an institutional facility or even at a medical facility if symptoms are severe. A tracker watch will also be provided.

For all Covid-19 patients, a follow-up PCR test will typically be conducted on Day 8, and a home-care provider is allowed to isolate the person at home. The day of the first positive PCR test counts as Day 1.

In case this follow-up test yields a negative result, the test must be repeated within 48 hours. If two consecutive PCR tests are negative, and the person is asymptomatic,

the individual is allowed to end home isolation.

If the Day 8 test is positive, but the patient has had no symptoms in the last three days of the ten-day isolation, then he or she can head to an

assessment centre on Day 10 for de-isolation assessment.

If an individual is allowed to end isolation, but still tests positive for Covid-19, he or she must then avoid public places, and work remotely.

Studies have shown that Covid-19 is most contagious in the first 10 days of the infection. Therefore, it is important to remain in isolation for those 10 days.