Centre issues new home isolation guidelines as Covid cases surge

As Covid-19 numbers began to shoot through the roof, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday issued revised home isolation guidelines, allowing people with mild or no symptoms to isolate themselves at home and end the isolation after seven days if they do not have fever for three successive days.

The new guidelines ruled out the need for a test at the end of the isolation period, aiding the diagnostic laboratories to take-off some of their burdens. “There is no need for retesting after the home isolation period is over,” it said.

The previous guideline mandated home isolation for 10 days, which has been cut by three days with the Centre seeking to tackle concerns on the manpower-loss worries due to a sharp rise in mild Covid-19 infections.

Also read | India witnessing exponential rise in Covid cases; R-value higher than 2nd wave peak: Govt

The asymptomatic contacts of infected individuals also need not undergo Covid test and monitor health in home quarantine.

A shift to a medical facility has been advised if the infected individual has high-grade fever (more than 100 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days); difficulty in breathing and oxygen level less than 93 per cent on three successive readings within one hour.

Other symptoms necessitating hospital admission are persistent pain or pressure in the chest; mental confusion or inability to arouse, and severe fatigue and muscle pain (myalgia).

Warning patients about non-authentic and non-evidence based treatment protocols that float on social media, Lav Agarwal, a joint secretary in the Union Health Ministry said such protocols could harm patients. Moreover, generic sharing of prescription is to be avoided as treatment of every individual is different.

“Steroids are not prescribed in mild disease and shall not be self-administered. Overuse and inappropriate use of steroids may lead to additional complications. Do not rush for self-medication, blood investigation or radiological imaging like chest X-ray or chest CT scan without consultation of your doctor,” said Agarwal.

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