Data suggests that a Whopping 81% of COVID positive patients experience uncomplicated or mild illness and many are completely asymptomatic. Such patients do not need hospitalization, instead a 14day quarantine and isolation will put most people on the path to recovery.

Who all should opt for home isolation?

According to experts, the below category of patients can opt for home isolation:

Patients who have been clinically diagnosed with mild, pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic by their doctor.
Patients who have the facility to self-isolate with an available care giver who can provide round-the-clock

Note: Elderly patients over the age of 60 and patients with co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung/liver/kidney disease will be allowed home isolation only after thorough evaluation.

What is the difference between quarantine & isolation?

Right now these two words have been used interchangeably, whereas there is a crucial difference between the two. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, Isolation keeps the person who has tested positive for COVID-19 away from others, Quarantine separates those who were in contact with the infected person and restricts their movements to their homes till they either test negative or complete the 14-day timeframe without any symptoms. Basically, family members of COVID patients who are in isolation should also be home quarantined.

What should be in your COVID essentials at-home tool kit?

Below is the checklist we suggest you stock up on and we suggest given the current infection rate, whether or not you or your family has been infected it’s good to have these on hand if you do get infected:

14-day stockpile of provisions, all of your prescription medications for the next 30 days and basic fever and pain medication
Hand sanitiser
Pule oximeter
Thermometer
Surgical mask (please change the mask every 8 hours)
Immunity building supplements: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc
Betadine for gargling twice a day
Saline nasal spray, either store bought or you can make it yourself at home using 250ml of boiled and cooled water. To that add half teaspoon each of baking soda and salt and a few drops of Betadine
Disposable utensils
Disinfectant sprays and wipes to clean all surfaces at home, including light switches, door handles, faucets, phones etc.

Checklist for COVID patient care giver

Surgical gloves when in the patients room and while handling things like laundry, utensils etc
Double masks – cloth mask over a surgical mask
Wash hands for 20 seconds regularly and especially after being in the same room
Limit exposure to patient and make sure to open windows for ventilation