I Have Tested COVID-Positive – What Are the Home Quarantine Rules?

India is witnessing a second wave of coronavirus infections, with states across the country recording exponential fresh cases each day.

So, what should you do if you catch COVID-19? What precautions should you take during home quarantine? Here’s what you need to know, based on guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 28 April.

Who is eligible to home quarantine?

• Only those who are clinically assigned to be mild or pre-symptomatic are eligible for home isolation.
• The asymptomatic cases are laboratory confirmed cases not experiencing any symptoms and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 94 percent
• Clinically assigned mild cases are patients with upper respiratory tract symptoms (and/or fever) without shortness of breath and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 94 percent.
• Such cases should have the requisite facility at their residence for self-isolation and for quarantining the family contacts.
• A care giver should be available to provide care on 24x7 basis.
• A communication link between the caregiver and hospital is a prerequisite for the entire duration of home isolation.

I am asymptomatic. Can I quarantine at home?

Yes, asymptomatic people along with mild and pre-symptomatic ones can be home quarantined.

Can those whom I stay with step out while I am under quarantine?

Not at all. While the person who has tested coronavirus positive should be in complete isolation, the other members staying in the house should not step out.

I have tested positive. How do I get my family members tested?

In cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Bengaluru, the government facilitates testing of family members. However, you can also arrange for testing in private labs – for which the individual will have to pay.

I have been home-quarantined. Under what circumstances should I seek medical help?

• Dip in oxygen level
• Slurred speech/seizures
• Weakness in any limb or face
• Difficulty in breathing
• Pain/pressure in chest
• Bluish discoloration on lips/face

I need a hospital bed. Whom should I contact?

You should reach out to the State and District Surveillance office, once you develop symptoms that require hospitalisation. You can also call the helpline “104” or Government of India’s control room number [phone].

What precautions should I take while in home quarantine?

Apart from the physician’s instructions, those who are infected with coronavirus and opt for home quarantine, must follow these rules:

• Patients must stay in a separate room, away from others – especially the elderly people.
• They should wear a triple-layer mask at all times. The mask should be discarded after every eight hours, as per the instructions given by the medical officer.

• Must drink lot of fluids and keep hydrated, while regularly monitoring their temperature.
• The patient must wash hands often with soap and water for at least 40 seconds
• Do not share items with anyone else – like plates or comb.

What are some instructions for the caregiver?

• The caregiver should wear a triple layer medical mask. N95 mask may be considered when in the same room with the ill person. Front portion of the mask should not be touched or handled during use.
• Discard the mask after use and perform hand hygiene after disposal of the mask. He/she should avoid touching own face, nose or mouth.
• Avoid direct contact with body fluids of the patient, particularly oral or respiratory secretions. Use disposable gloves while handling the patient.
• Avoid exposure to potentially contaminated items in his immediate environment (e.g. avoid sharing cigarettes, eating utensils, dishes, drinks, used towels or bed linen)
• Food must be provided to the patient in his room. Utensils and dishes used by the patient should be cleaned with soap/detergent and water wearing gloves. The utensils and dishes may be re-used.

When can coronavirus patients end home isolation?

Patients can end their home isolation and be discharged after 10 days of onset of symptoms and no fever for three days. In the previous guidelines, patients were allowed to end home isolation only after 17 days of onset of symptoms and no fever for 10 days.

This also means that more recoveries are reported in a shorter period of time.

Does this mean the person must be tested for coronavirus after their symptoms go away?

No, under revised guidelines, a person is not required to undergo the test after the home isolation period is over.