New Guidelines By Health Ministry: COVID-19 Patients With Very Mild Symptoms Can Stay At Home, All You Need To Know

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has issued fresh guidelines for coronavirus pandemic stating that COVID-19 patients who have very mild symptoms of the infection or are “pre-symptomatic” can opt for home isolation. The guidelines further stated that the patients should self-isolate themselves completely so that they avoid contact with other family members. At present, all the COVID-19 infected patients or those who test positive for the novel coronavirus were immediately isolated and admitted in hospitals, makeshift hospitals or wards dedicated to coronavirus patients in order to break the chain of transmission of the highly contagious virus. But, now the ministry has issued fresh guidelines which allow patients with “very mild/pre-symptomatic patients” the option of self-isolation. The ministry in the statement said,

As per existing guidelines, during the containment phase, the patients should be clinically assigned as very mild/mild, moderate or severe and accordingly admitted to COVID Care Centre, dedicated COVID Health Centre or dedicated COVID Hospital, respectively. However, very mild/pre-symptomatic patients having the requisite facility at his/her residence for self-isolation will have the option for home isolation now.

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What Are The Norms For Home Isolation?

According to the guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the person should be clinically assigned as a very mild case/pre-symptomatic case by the treating medical officer, only then they can opt for home isolation. The ministry also said that those under home isolation must stay in touch with the government surveillance officer and a hospital. Moreover, the patients must also download government’s Arogya Setu app and keep it active at all times.

The patient shall also agree to monitor his health and regularly inform his health status to the District Surveillance Officer for further follow up by the surveillance teams. The ministry guidelines state,

The patient will fill an undertaking on self-isolation and shall follow home quarantine guidelines.

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Along with these, the guidelines also stated that the patient who is practiSing home isolation should have a caregiver available 24×7. A communication link between the caregiver and hospital is a pre-requisite for the entire duration of home isolation. The ministry also said that the caregiver and all close contacts of such cases should take hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis as per protocol and as prescribed by the treating medical officer.

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When Should Patient Seek Medical Attention?

The ministry said that immediate medical attention must be sought if serious signs or symptoms develop. These include:

– Difficulty in breathing
– Persistent pain/pressure in the chest
– Mental confusion or inability to arouse
– Developing bluish discolorations of lips/face
– As advised by treating medical officer

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When To Discontinue Home Isolation?

According to the guidelines, patients under home isolation will end home isolation if symptoms are clinically resolved and the surveillance medical officer certifies him or her to be free of infection after laboratory tests are done.

Coronavirus: Status In India

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in India, more than 28,000 people have been infected with this highly contagious virus as of April 28. Of which, more than 900 people have succumbed to coronavirus. To contain the spread of the virus, a nation-wide lockdown is being practiced across the country till May 3.

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