What are the new health ministry guidelines for home isolation

On April 29 the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued revised guidelines for home isolation. These guidelines are applicable to all asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients. If the patient’s oxygen saturation is above 94% at room air, the person is considered to be asymptomatic or with a mild infection. A caregiver should be available to provide care on a 24x7 basis. A communication link between the caregiver and the hospital is necessary for the entire duration of home isolation. Patients over 60 years and those with co-morbid conditions such as

.Hypertension

.Diabetes,

.Heart disease

.Chronic lung, liver, kidney disease, and cerebrovascular disease

Shall only be allowed home isolation after proper evaluation by the treating medical officer.
The patient should be kept in a well-ventilated room and should use a triple-layer medical mask at all times. If the caregiver enters the room, both the caregiver and patient may consider using an N-95 mask. If fever is not controlled use Paracetamol 650 mg four times a day and consult the treating doctor, The doctor may consider other drugs like a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Inhalational Budesonide to be given if symptoms are persistent beyond 5 days given via inhalers with spacer, at a dose of 800 mcg twice daily for 5 to 7 days. Oral steroids, Remdesivir are not for home administration and no attempt should be made to procure these drugs.
Immediate medical attention should be given if the patient experiences

. Difficulty in breathing,

. Dip in oxygen saturation -SpO2 less than 94% on room air

. Persistent pain/pressure in the chest,

. Mental confusion or inability to arouse

Patients can end home isolation after 10 days and there is no need for testing after this.