No Need for Covid-19 Testing After Home Isolation Is Over: Govt

A revised guideline for Covid-19 patients under home isolation has been issued by the Union Health Ministry. The details of the guideline include the type of diet and medicines to be taken along with what a Covid-19 infected person should not do to prevent the spread among other family members. The guideline also emphasises that once home isolation is over, Covid-19 test is not required.

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As per the guidelines, the isolation room of the Covid-infected person must be well-ventilated and all windows should be kept open. Use of a triple-layer medical mask at all times should be followed by the infected person and after 8 hours of use or earlier, the mask should be discarded. Both caregiver and patient must consider wearing N95 mask, which should be discarded only after disinfecting it with 1% Sodium Hypochlorite. It is also advised to patients to track their temperature, heart rate, oxygen, breathing difficulties, if any. The patient should ensure consistent intake of fluids.

Patients more than 60 years of age and those with comorbid conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc., shall only be allowed home isolation after undergoing proper evaluation by the treating medical officer, suggests the guideline.

This comes as Covid-19 cases in India continue to rise at a rapid pace. The Indian healthcare system may have come under immense stress with states facing oxygen shortage, the Centre is reiterating that most Covid-19 infected can recover at home without the need for oxygen or Remdesivir.

After at least 10 days of being isolated, the patient can discontinue it when there is no fever for three days, says the guideline.