COVID-19 Symptoms And Warning Signs Listed By The Health Ministry
- If a COVID-19 positive patient's oxygen level or saturation is falling.
- If the person is experiencing excessive fatigue.
- When the oxygen saturation level decreases to 93 or less, the individual can faint.
You can check your oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter, a small, clip-like device that can be put on a finger. It can help you keep an eye on your oxygen saturation level or the oxygen levels in your blood [3].
In the last week, the health ministry revised the home isolation rules of mild and asymptomatic Covid-19 patients. As per those guidelines, the patients who are clinically assigned to be mild /asymptomatic are recommended for home isolation [4].
Guidelines For Home Isolation As Released By The Health Ministry
1. When is a COVID-19 patient eligible for home isolation?
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2. What are the instructions for COVID-19 patients in home isolation?
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3. When should a COVID-19 patient seek medical attention?
Immediate medical attention must be sought if serious signs or symptoms develop, as mentioned below.
4. What are the treatments safe for patients with mild /asymptomatic disease in home isolation?
- Patients must be in communication with a treating physician and promptly report in case of any deterioration.
- Continue the medications for other co-morbid illness after consulting the treating physician.
- Patients to follow symptomatic management for fever, running nose and cough, as warranted.
- Patients may perform warm water gargles or take steam inhalation twice a day.
- Suppose fever is not controlled with a maximum dose of Tab. Paracetamol 650mg four times a day, consult the treating doctor who may consider advising other drugs like a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (ex: Tab. Naproxen 250 mg twice a day).
- Consider Tab Ivermectin (200 mcg/kg once a day, to be taken empty stomach) for 3 to 5 days.
- Inhalational Budesonide (given via inhalers with spacer at a dose of 800 mcg twice daily for 5 to 7days) to be given if symptoms (fever and/or cough) are persistent beyond five days of disease onset.
- The decision to administer Remdesivir or any other investigational therapy must be taken by a medical professional and administered only in a hospital setting. Do not attempt to procure or administer Remdesivir at home.
- Systemic oral steroids 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.
- In case of falling oxygen saturation or shortness of breath, the person should require hospital admission and seek immediate consultation from their treating physician/surveillance team.
5. When should a COVID-19 patient discontinue home isolation?
According to the health ministry, "a patient under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least ten days have passed from the onset of symptoms (or from date of sampling for asymptomatic cases) and no fever for three days. There is no need for testing after the home isolation period is over.
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On A Final Note…
Wear a double mask, continue practising social and physical distancing, sanitising and avoid going out and inviting people home to curb the spread of the viral infection.
Stay Home. Stay Safe. Double Mask