Rohit Shishodia

The Indian Health Ministry has said that patients suffering from immune compromised status (HIV, transplant recipients, Cancer therapy etc) are not eligible for home isolation. On July 2, 2020, the ministry released fresh home isolation guidelines for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients.

As per the guidelines, patients aged more than 60 years and those with co-morbid conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung/liver/ kidney disease, cerebro-vascular disease etc shall only be allowed home isolation after proper evaluation by the treating medical officer.   

For home isolation, the guidelines read that a person should be clinically assigned as a very mild/pre-symptomatic/asymptomatic case by the treating medical officer. Such cases should have the requisite facility at their residence for self-isolation and also for quarantining the family contacts.

The guidelines read that  immediate medical attention can be sought during homecare when the patient develops serious signs or symptoms including difficulty in breathing, dip in oxygen saturation (SpO2 < 95%), persistent pain/pressure in the chest, mental confusion or inability to arouse, slurred speech/seizures, weakness or numbness in any limb or face and developing bluish discolorations of lips/face.

Patient under home isolation will stand discharged after 10 days of symptom onset and no fever for 3 days. Thereafter, the patient will be advised to isolate at home and self-monitor their health for further 7 days. There is no need for testing after the home isolation period is over.