Karnataka: Home isolation for asymptomatic and mild Covid cases

Anil Gejji | TNN | Jul 4, 2020, 05:52 IST

CM in a meeting with senior doctors, specialists and experts to discuss the urgent measures that can be taken to contain the spread of Covid-19.

CM in a meeting with senior doctors, specialists and experts to discuss the urgent measures that can be taken ...Read More

BENGALURU: People below 50 years who have very mild symptoms of Covid-19 can opt for home isolation if they can ensure no contact with other family members at their residence and coordination with health authorities.
The Karnataka government allowed asymptomatic and mild symptomatic Covid-19 cases, including those in Bengaluru, to be in home isolation. The guidelines for home quarantine were issued on Friday.
Patient should have PPE, pulse oximeter at hand
The decision was taken after CM BS Yediyurappa met medical experts in Bengaluru earlier this week who suggested the measure to lessen the burden on Covid hospitals. Among the guidelines for home isolation issued on Friday, the patient should be clinically assigned as a very mild or pre-symptomatic case by the treating medical officer. A team will inspect the house to check for facilities to isolate the patient and to quarantine family contacts.
However, patients with comorbid conditions such as kidney disease including dialysis, heart diseases, stroke, TB and cancer are not eligible for home isolation. Those with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and thyroid are allowed only if the conditions are well-managed and under good clinical control.
At home, a caregiver should be available 24 x7. A regular communication link between the caregiver and hospital is a pre-requisite for the entire duration of home isolation. Each patient in home isolation should always have an oxygen saturation of not less than 95%. The patient should have a pulse oximeter, digital thermometer and personal protective equipment (face masks, gloves) at hand during home isolation.
Violations can be reported by calls to 080-45451111 or on WhatsApp at 9777777684. Further, the patient will have to agree to monitor his/her health and regularly and inform their health status to the physician and district surveillance officer (DSO) for further follow-up by the surveillance teams. A signed undertaking to follow all rules of self-isolation will also be sought.