Punjab Govt issues Home Isolation Guidelines

As coronavirus cases are mounting, Government of Punjab has issued a guideline for Home Isolation of coronavirus patients on the recommendation of the Corona Expert Advisory Group (CEAG) and Tehcnical Working Group (TWG).

Although the notification does state that Home Isolation will only be allowed in cases where the patient has asymptomatic or mild symptoms only and if the Home Isolation Committee qualifies the residence through assessment.

Guidelines for government designated isolation facilities:

Any residential quarter like hotel, school building, mosque, hostel, community center or other suitable building with adequate facilities -under the supervision of concerned District Health Authority (DHA).
Each laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patient should be kept in a single room with attached bathroom (where feasible or grouped together for positive patients).
General premises of the isolation facility, rooms, corridors and washrooms etc. be disinfected on daily basis.
There will be a system of record keeping to maintain data of admission/discharge of COVID-19 patients.
Solid Waste Management in the isolation facilities will be carried out as per the guidelines issued by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department
The isolation facilities should not be established in building with centralised HVACs (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling) as it may spread the virus.
Only cooked food in disposable utensils be supplied to the patients

Guidelines for Home Isolation:

Home isolation will only be allowed on the recommendation of the Home Isolation Committee and informed consent of the patient. Committees will have to be notified by the Deputy Commissioner including the Assistant commissioner, Deputy District Officer and the Chief Officer of Tehsil or Town Municipal Administrations (TMAs).
Filing of the detailed checklist issued by the Punjab Government for assessment of home isolation.
Filling of a detailed checklist for doctors and primary caregiver for home isolation to be filled out.
There will be an assessment of the resident by the committee to see if there are sufficient number of rooms for home isolation.
The committee will also make sure that the family is enough qualified to have a basic understanding about COVID-19 and the importance and maturity to comply with the instructions of the Punjab Health Department.
The coronavirus patient has to monitor his health and report to the Punjab Health Department.
The coronavirus patient will be to comply to all instructions issued by the P&SHC Department.
It will be compulsory for the home isolated patient to comply with the testing protocols required by the caregivers / P&SHC Department.

Protocol for Re-test of COVID-19 Patient and End of Isolation:

For laboratory confirmed cases, who are home isolated, repeat testing should be done at Day 10. To end isolation, PCR should be negative twice and at least 24 hours apart.

For the positive test result at Day 10 (2nd positive), repeat test is to be conducted at Day 05 after the 2nd positive test.
Where testing is not possible, WHO recommends that confirmed patients remain isolated for an additional two weeks after symptoms resolved.