Guidelines for home isolation finalised in Punjab.

Byline: Asif Chaudhry

LAHORE -- The Punjab health authorities on Tuesday finalised guidelines for home-isolation of Covid-19 patients for approval from Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

The new guidelines were shared at a meeting of the health department which was participated in by the representatives of Corona Expert Advisory Group and the World Health Organisation. The guidelines will be sent to the chief minister for final approval.

It was declared that the PCR-positive, asymptomatic and patients with mild symptoms in whom hospitalisation is not required should be advised home isolation (where feasible) as per given criteria.

Who Can Be Home-Isolated:

i - Asymptomatic persons (confirmed on PCR), and patients with mild symptoms, of age less than 60 years and without underlining unstable chronic conditions such as lung and heart disease, renal failure or immunosuppression may be cared for at home.

The same will be sent to CM for approval

ii - If and where feasible a communication link with healthcare provider or public health personnel, or both, should be established for the duration of the home-care period.

iii - Patient living alone should not be allowed home-isolation.

Steps To Follow:

i - Patients and household members should be educated about personal hygiene, basic IPC measures and how to care as safely, as possible to prevent the infection from spreading to household members and contacts.

ii - All persons to be home isolated should be provided written instructions regarding monitoring of symptoms and establishing contact with healthcare provider via telemedicine.

Placement:

i - Place the person in a well-ventilated single room (i.e. open windows and an open door) preferably with attached bathroom.

ii - Ensure that shared spaces (i.e. kitchen, bathroom, lounge, etc) are well ventilized (keep windows open).

Movement Restrictions:

i - Limit the movement of the person in the house and minimize shared space.

ii - The household members should stay in different room and if that is not possible the patient should be shifted to the government isolation centre.

iii - The isolated person should avoid preparing, cooking and serving food to other family members.

iv - Only an assigned family member should be tasked with taking care of the person in isolation.

v - The visitors should not be allowed until the completion of isolation period.

Infection prevention practices for patient and care giver:

i - Perform hand hygiene frequently at least for 20...