The Union health ministry on Thursday came up with fresh guidelines for COVID-19 patients in home isolation having mild sysmptoms or are asymptomatic.
The minstry has advised that the patients should be kept in well-ventilated rooms and should wear a triple-layer medical mask at all times.
“The patients should be kept in well-ventilated rooms with cross-ventilation, the windows should be kept open to allow fresh air to come in and should at all times use a triple-layer medical mask,” the guidelines read.
“The mask should be discarded after eight hours of use or earlier if they become wet or visibly soiled. In the event of the caregiver entering the room, both the caregiver and the patient may consider using the N95 mask,” it added.
“Do not attempt to procure or administer Remdesivir at home. Systemic oral steroids are not indicated in mild disease. If symptoms persist beyond seven days [persistent fever, worsening cough etc.], consult the treating doctor for treatment with low-dose oral steroids,” the guidelines said.
“The mask should be discarded after eight hours of use or earlier if they become wet or visibly soiled. In the event of the caregiver entering the room, both the caregiver and the patient may consider using the N95 mask.
“The masks should be discarded only after disinfecting it with 1% sodium hypochlorite,” the guidelines stated.
“Ensure cleaning of surfaces in the room that are touched often [tabletops, doorknobs, handles etc.] with a 1% hypochlorite solution. Self-monitoring of blood oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter is strongly advised,” the guidelines stated.
Patients aged more than 60 years and those with co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung or liver or kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease etc. shall only be allowed home isolation after a proper evaluation by the treating medical officer, it added.
According to the revised guidelines, the patients may perform warm-water gargles or take steam inhalation twice a day.