This story is from July 2, 2020

Monitored home isolation for mild Covid-19 cases in Karnataka soon

Facing shortage of beds, the Karnataka government may soon make monitored home isolation mandatory for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients, who are below 60 years and without comorbidities.
Monitored home isolation for mild Covid-19 cases in Karnataka soon
As coronavirus spreads across India, it's time to mask up and stay safe (Image courtesy: maskindia.com)
BENGALURU: Facing shortage of beds, the Karnataka government may soon make monitored home isolation mandatory for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients, who are below 60 years and without comorbidities.
Healthcare experts, with whom CM BS Yediyurappa held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss treatment and management of Covid-19 pandemic in the coming days, suggested monitored home isolation to reduce the burden on hospitals and healthcare staff.
It will also ensure availability of beds for patients with severe symptoms.
1

Experts said the government must evolve a system to monitor health condition of patients in home isolation and prescribe medication through telemedicine. Home isolation for asymptomatic patients should be done with proper monitoring by ensuring medical help to them through telemedicine, they said.
The CM said the government will issue fresh guidelines for treatment of Covid-19 patients keeping the experts’ suggestions in mind.
Asymptomatic patients do not need hospitalisation, say experts
Dr Sudarshan Ballal of Manipal DHospitals said asymptomatic patients do not require hospitalisation since there is no prescribed treatment for them. “This will help authorities keep beds free for patients with serious health conditions, besides avoiding deaths due to non-availability of timely treatment,’’ he added.

Dr Vivek Jawali director, Fortis hospitals, said 80% of private-hospital beds are occupied by asymptomatic patients. “So, those needing critical care find it difficult to get beds. We can avoid this by making home isolation for asymptomatic patients compulsory,’’ he said, suggesting those who can’t afford home-isolation facilities can be moved to Covid Care Centres.
Dr Ashish Satpathy, a specialist, said the government must fast-track testing, bed allocation and hospitalisation of Covid-19 patients along with a centralised registry on bed availability. Dr Kumar Satapathy is regional team leader (South), National Professional Officer, WHO Country Office for India.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA