[ad_1]
The Ministry of Health has published revised guidelines for home isolation of very mild / pre-symptomatic COVID-19 cases, indicating that patient isolation will end after 17 days of symptom onset (or sampling date, for pre-symptomatic cases) and If there is no fever for 10 days.
“It is not necessary to carry out tests once the period of isolation in the home ends,” the Ministry indicates in its latest directive. The caregiver and all close contacts of such cases should take hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis according to protocol and as prescribed by the attending physician.
These guidelines are in addition to the proper handling of the suspected / confirmed COVID-19 case issued by the Ministry on April 7.
According to existing guidelines, during the containment phase, patients should be clinically assigned as very mild / mild, moderate or severe and, consequently, admitted to the COVID-19 Care Center, the Dedicated COVID-19 Health Center or the COVID-19 Dedicated Hospital, respectively.
However, very mild / pre-symptomatic patients who have the required facility in their residence for self-isolation will have the option of home isolation.
Eligibility for home isolation includes: that the treating medical officer must clinically assign the person as a very mild case / pre-symptomatic case and such cases must have the necessary facility in their residence for self-isolation and also to quarantine family contacts.
“A caregiver must be available to provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A communication link between the caregiver and the hospital is a prerequisite for the entire duration of home isolation, “noted the Ministry of Health.
Aarogya Setu App
He added that the Aarogya Setu application must be downloaded to the mobile and must remain active at all times (via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi).
Per protocol, the patient is required to agree to monitor their health and regularly report their health status to the District Surveillance Officer for additional monitoring by teams.
The Ministry explains that patients / caregivers will seek medical attention if severe signs or symptoms develop.
“This could include difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain / pressure, mental confusion or inability to wake up, developing bluish discoloration of the lips / face, etc.,” states the Ministry’s directive.
In addition, utensils and dishes used by the patient should be cleaned with soap / detergent and gloves with water. Utensils and dishes can be reused.
Additionally, patients should wear a triple-layer medical mask at all times and discard it after eight hours of use or sooner if they become visibly wet or dirty.
“The mask should be discarded only after disinfecting with 1% sodium hypochlorite. Patients should stay in the identified room and away from other people in the home, especially the elderly and those with comorbid conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, etc. “indicates the Ministry.
.
[ad_2]
