Finally, UP allows asymptomatic Covid patients to isolate at home

Lucknow/Noida: The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday allowed home isolation of asymptomatic patients, relaxing its earlier position that anybody found to have Covid needs to be admitted to hospitals. The move comes at a time when cases have been rising by leaps and bounds in Noida and Ghaziabad and amid concerns about infrastructure to tackle this increasing infection rate.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the decision was aimed at encouraging more people to share information about their health. He said that if people continued to hide their symptoms, it would be difficult to control the spread of the infection. “Therefore, the state government has decided to allow home isolation with certain terms and conditions. It would be mandatory for all such patients and their family members to follow the guidelines,” the CM said.
According to an estimate by the UP government, around 80% of Covid patients across the state are asymptomatic. Guidelines prepared by a committee headed by medical education minister Suresh Khanna say that anyone below the age of 60 would be allowed home isolation if he or she is asymptomatic. Only patients above 60 and those with comorbidities like diabetes and heart ailments need to recuperate in hospitals.
Houses with a Covid patient must have ample space for isolation, with at least two toilets and a separate room. There should be an attendant to take care of the patient and he or she has to update the health status regularly on the state government’s app. Those in home isolation must have a Covid kit, comprising a pulse oximeter, a thermometer, masks, gloves, sodium hypochlorite solution and immunity boosters.
The home isolation period will be over in 10 days, unless the patient develops symptoms. Even after that, the patient will have to stay at home and monitor his or her health for a week. There is no need to get another test done.
In the National Capital Region, Delhi and Gurgaon have already allowed home isolation of asymptomatic patients. Officials in Noida and Ghaziabad said the move would take burden off doctors who are on Covid duty, at a time both districts have been facing a shortage of trained healthcare staff. If asymptomatic patients stay at home, it would allow doctors to focus on critical cases and keep the death rate in check. The number of Covid cases in both Noida and Ghaziabad has crossed 4,000 and an average of 100-125 patients are being reported every day. However, there are only 950 active cases in Noida and 1,300 in Ghaziabad.
Noida district magistrate Suhas LY held a meeting on Monday to discuss how patients in home isolation can be monitored. Noida had earlier launched a mobile app to ensure those in home quarantine did not step out.
“We want to ensure a bonding between doctors and patients so that the lack of physical contact does not make them reluctant in sharing any health problems they are facing. Patients should always stay connected, and health facilities should be available round-the-clock. We are trying to set up a model so that technology can be used for facilitating patients,” the DM said.
Ghaziabad DM Ajay Shankar Pandey said he would follow the state government’s guidelines. Residents were relieved with the government’s decision. For long, several residents’ groups, along with the Indian Medical Association in Noida, had been backing the idea of home isolation for asymptomatic patients.
“Many people were reluctant in getting themselves tested, fearing they would have to live in unhygienic conditions at quarantine centres if they were found positive. Now, it is up to the residents to behave responsibly and follow the protocols strictly. The move should not be exploited,” said Rajiva Singh, president of the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners’ Association.
Alok Kumar, founder of the Federation of Association of Apartment Owners in Ghaziabad, echoed Singh, saying more people would now get themselves tested. He called for strict surveillance by the district administration.