Home isolation guidelines: Do's and Don'ts to follow for COVID-19 patie

Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in India the health ministry on Tuesday issued home quarantine guidelines for people who have very mild symptoms of COVID19 According to the guidelines those with mild syptoms can opt for home isolation but will have to be in constant communication with the District Surveillance Officer and a hospital and will have to sign an undertakingThe present guidelines were issued in addition to guidelines on appropriate management of suspectconfirmed cases of Covid19 issued by the Health Ministry on April 7MoHFW_INDIA has issued guidelines for Home Isolation of very mildpresymptomatic COVID19 cases Media briefing on COVID19 Details httpstcokoNEShuVZ7 pictwittercom6wUPLNg9Nemdash PIB India StayHome StaySafe PIB_India April 28 2020As per the revised guidelines patients who have mild symptoms or are presymptomatic can now opt for selfisolation at their homes but they need to follow the norms laid down by the Health MinistryWho is eligibile for self isolation at homeCOVID19 patients who have been clinically assigned as a very mild case or presymptomatic case by the treating medical officer are eligible for selfisolation at homeWhat are the prerequisites in order to selfisolate at homePatients who are eligible for selfisloation at home must have arequisite facility at their place of residence for selfisolation More so the patients must also ensure that there is enough space for other members of the family to quarantine at homeThe patient must have a caregiver who can look after the patient and provide care 24x7Another prerequisite is that there should be a communication link between the caregiver of the patient and the hospital during the entire duration of home isolationThe caregiver and all the close contacts of the COVID19 patient shouldtake Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis as per the protocol and as prescribed by the treating medical officerThe patient hasmonitor his or her health and regularly inform their health status to the District Surveillance Officer for further follow up by the surveillance teamsFinally the patient needs tofill an undertaking on selfisolation stating that they shall follow all home quarantine guidelines laid down by the Health MinistryWhen should a COVID19 patient seek medical attentionAccording to the revised guidelines issued by the Health Ministrymild or presymptomatic patients shall seek immediate medical attention on the following groundsWhen they face difficulty in breathingIf they experience persistent painpressure in the chestFeel mentally confused or inability to arouseIf they develop bluish discolorations of lips or faceAnd if advised by treating medical officersWhen will home isolation endHome isolation for COVID19 patients can only be discontinued when the symptoms are clinically resolved and the surveillance medical officer certifies themild or presymptomatic patientto be free of infection after the necassary laboratory testingDos and donts for selfisolation patients and caregiversCaregivers must wear triple layered medical mask when in the same room with the COVID19 patientCaregivers should avoiddirect contact with body fluids of the patient especially oral or respiratory secretionsCaregivers must use disposable gloves while handling the patient Hand hygiene should be undertaken done before and after removing glovesCaregivers should pay strict attention to hand hygiene before and after preparing food before eating after using the toilet and whenever the hands look dirtyCaregivers should avoid sharing cigarettes eating from the same utensils or exposing themselves to used towels or bed linenCOVID19 patient should weartriple layer medical mask at all times The patient mustdiscard the mask after eight hours of use or earlier if they have become wet or visibly soiledThe patient must isolate themselves in a room and stay way from peoplePatient must stay away from the elderly who maybe suffering fromcomorbid conditions like hypertension cardiovascular disease renal diseaseDuring selfisolationmild or presymptomatic patients mustdrink lots of fluids to stay hydrated and follow respiratory etiquette all the timeWith inputs from AgenciesCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news