Ranchi admin allows home isolation for asymptomatic patients with riders

Ranchi: Asymptomatic Covid-19 patients in the state capital can now opt for home-isolation, but will have to follow strict protocols during the period or face action, an order issued by the district administration on Monday night said. The order follows concerns raised by the state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) over the lack of Covid beds in its facility amid the steady rise in the cases of coronavirus.
Moreover, private hospitals have been ordered to treat Covid patients who were found positive during treatment at their respective health centres.
Talking to TOI on Tuesday, deputy commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray said, “We will allow asymptomatic patients with the home-isolation option, but one will have to follow several sets of prescribed protocols to avail it.”
A district official said an asymptomatic patient will have to submit an affidavit to the district administration before availing the option stating he or she will follow all norms or will face punitive action in case of violation. “Besides, there should be a CCTV camera installed outside the patient’s room or house to keep a tab on his or her movements, a separate room with bathroom facility for isolation and a dedicated caretaker who could serve as a link between the administration and the patient for regular updates on the health condition,” the official said.
Notably, the Centre allowed home isolation for such patients last month, but the state government is yet to adopt it.
Ranchi civil surgeon Dr V B Prasad said the option will be available purely voluntarily for those who can afford it. “Home isolation is an option which we are now providing for those who are not symptomatic and can be cured easily with basic care and medication. A dedicated doctor or a health professional will be assigned for such patients to keep a tab on them from time to time over phone or physical visit as per the requirement for 14 days,” Prasad said.
Replying to another query, Prasad said private hospitals have also been asked to treat Covid patients in case they detect the patients’ positive status at their hospitals during treatment and not to deny further treatment arbitrarily without proper consultation with the administration.
President of Jharkhand chapter of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) Jogesh Ghambhir said home isolation for asymptomatic patients is one of the suggestions which they had given to the district administration during a meeting on Monday. “It’s a good move to lessen the burden on Covid hospitals so that they can focus on critical patients,” he said. Gambhir, however, urged the district administration and the state government to reconsider the order asking the private hospitals to admit and treat Covid patients as it may lead to greater chaos and increased fatalities.
He said, “Some 15 days back, the state government issued an order in this regard, but during a meeting with the district administration on Monday evening, we have once again communicated our apprehensions regarding the issue. Covid patients can’t be mixed with other patients and a majority of the private hospitals don’t have enough wings or facilities for separate Covid wards.”
Gambhir added, “The order will turn out to be more fatal and expose others to the virus. The best way out is to acquire a private hospital and convert it into a dedicated Covid hospital as and when the space crunch arises.”