COVID-19: Home setup for caring for someone at home

It has been one year, since the COVID-19 pandemic hit India and the number of cases has now started surging, once again. Several cases of Coronavirus reinfection have also been reported across the country. Cases where people have been infected even after receiving both doses of vaccinations, have also been reported. Under these circumstances, the only thing that people can do now, is to prevent COVID-19, considering that there is no sure-shot cure available till date. Social distancing, wearing a mask and hand sanitisation are a few tested prevention methods that effectively ward off COVID-19. The government is continuously advising everyone to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay at home to prevent COVID-19. However, many people are still getting infected. As hospital wards fill up, people who have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic, are advised to get isolated at home.

People who live in small towns or in non-metro cities, usually have big houses and can manage social distancing at their home. However, people who live in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, hardly have space at home to maintain social distancing. Mumbai currently has the highest number of COVID-positive cases, in comparison to other cities in India.

See also: Coronavirus precautions: How to protect your home

In such places, is there a home setup possible, if one or more of the family members are infected with COVID-19? What are the steps you should keep in mind, if your family members have been infected with COVID-19? We tried to find out the answer from the experience of people who have suffered the Coronavirus infection and how they managed to maintain social distancing at home.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Home care and precautions

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Ideal home setup if a household member has COVID-19

Sandeep Jain (name changed), a businessman who lives in Thane, shared his experience of how his family managed everything after he was diagnosed COVID-19 positive. “One evening, I received a call from my friend that he was not feeling well and he had tested COVID-19 positive. Just a day before, I had spent a few hours with that friend. It meant I was probably exposed to the Coronavirus. I immediately informed my wife and parents that I may have been exposed to COVID and immediately self-isolated in a separate room,” explained Jain, who lives in a 2BHK house. “In my home, one room is for my parents and the other one is for us. My two kids sleep in the hall. As I had occupied one room and there was a chance that my wife could be exposed to Corona, she also isolated herself in my parents’ room. My parents and children shared the hall. The next day, my wife and I got tested for COVID-19 and unfortunately, the results of both were positive. She shifted back to our room and we got my parents’ room and hall sanitised immediately. Our medication started and all members were quarantined at home. Fortunately, my parents and kids did not exhibit any symptoms over the next few days. We strictly confined ourselves to our room and got our food and water through a table that was kept near our room door. My parents and children used spray sanitiser all over the place and kept the window open for better ventilation. My case was a mild one and after eight days, my wife and I both tested negative. We stayed isolated for 14 days as per the government’s guidelines. Later, we got our home properly sanitised, before we started moving freely once again in our apartment,” he elaborates.

According to medical experts, in COVID-19, the most challenging thing is that people are not aware at the starting stage that they are infected and unknowingly, they become spreaders. This is why, in most cases, if one family member gets infected, then, the chances become high that other members would also be COVID-19 positive.

Sandeep suggests, “It is important to follow the government’s guidelines strictly. Initially, we were a little afraid and thought of moving to a government quarantine facility, so that other members do not get infected from us. We decided to stay at home, because we were not sure if other members were already infected. In that case, in our absence, they would be unable to manage medication and other things. So, we decided to stay isolated at our home only.”

If one or more of your family members have tested positive, then, how you manage your home space will ensure whether the rest of your family members can avoid becoming infected.

See also: Seven tips to maintain mental health during COVID-19

Home care for patients with COVID-19: What do doctors suggest?

Dr Abhishek Agarwal, associated as a specialist consultant with a government hospital, suggests: “Home space management can help in maintaining appropriate distancing among family members. It also requires proper ventilation at home and frequent use of sanitisers by all the family members, to stop the spread of Corona. In metros like Mumbai, apartments are usually small. So, effective use of available space may not be easy. The priority should be to isolate the infected members in a corner/side room in such a case. Keep the senior citizens away from infected members. You may use plastic curtains, to separate the hall or a room into different zones. Frequently sanitise door handles, toilets and all commonly-touched home accessories and areas. Keep the windows open for proper ventilation. Sometimes, the symptom may not show in the starting four to five days or more. Therefore, all family members must strictly maintain social distancing. It is crucial to use a separate thermometer, Oximeter, vaporiser and utensils, to avoid transmission of COVID-19 from one person to another. Suppose any family members face difficulty in breathing, uneasiness, drop in oxygen level below 95%, or any unexplained health complication, he or she should immediately consult a doctor or contact a COVID-19 helpline number.”

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