new delhi: For asymptomatic or mild Covid patients who will quarantine themselves at home, doctors advise a strict 'no touch policy'. The Delhi government had announced that patients who have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic don't need to admit themselves at the hospital.
"They will be kept under home quarantine for 14 days and will be treated in their homes, as per the new protocol and don't have to go to hospital if they have mild symptoms," said Health Minister Satyendar Jain.
Speaking to the Millennium Post Amarinder Singh, former president of Resident Doctors Association at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) explains how an asymptomatic person can quarantine themselves at home.
Home quarantine process
"The person needs to stay in their rooms, while someone can give them food. However, they are not to be touched in any way. The person giving food needs to use protection like gloves and can keep the food outside the room," he said. The basic idea, Dr. Singh said is that the person who is in isolation needs to do their own work.
The doctor said that even if asymptomatic, the person is a Covid carrier and needs to be kept in quarantine so that he does not venture out and infect others.
"If an asymptomatic carrier after seven to eight days of quarantine by mistake touches someone, the person should immediately wash their hands. This is the reason why it was said to wash your hands," he said, adding that no touch and minimum touch technique needs to be strictly followed.
The said person who is in isolation needs to wash their own clothes, cut their own hair. "Don't use other person's razor. The less they come in contact with people, the better," added Dr. Singh.
Asymptomatic carrier
"The main problem is that the asymptomatic carrier is not showing any symptom at all. Now, even if my immunity was strong and the person did not show symptoms but came in contact with a positive patient who was also asymptomatic, they have also become the carrier," he said explaining how an asymptomatic person can spread virus.
Dr. Singh said that in such a situation lockdown is the best option, because that carrier won't be able to come in contact.
"We are breaking the chain. The incubation period is 14 days but instead we extend it to 28 days. If this is strictly followed then things can easily come under control," he added.
Home quarantine is the most viable option. For a person who is asymptomatic needs to self quarantine themselves. They need to isolate themselves first and foremost.
Singh said that meanwhile all emergency cases are reaching the hospital as it is.
At AIIMS about 186 positive patients are in Jhajjar at the moment. "All are mild to moderate. There are no high risk patients," said Dr. Singh. Meanwhile, 5 to 6 are in trauma and two are in main, however all cases are mild to moderate.