Pune: PCMC introduces new policy for home isolation

PUNE: With an increasing case count and strain on medical infrastructure, the civic body has introduced a home-quarantine policy to allow asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic Covid-19 patients to stay at home.
Under the new policy, patients will be categorized under Group A (no symptoms), B (mild symptoms) and C (symptomatic).

Patients coming under Groups A and B will be sent home after checking their complete blood count, renal function, random blood glucose, liver function, ECG, chest xray and SPO2 levels.Group C with any comorbid conditions will not be allowed to go home.
“Such patients must constantly monitor and update their temperature and SPO2 levels. They should approach the doctor if they develop any symptoms,” PCMC said in a statement.
There are just over 1,700 active cases in the twin township, which has a total bed capacity of close to 6,500.
“About 75% of our patients are asymptomatic and 15% are mildly symptomatic,” Santosh Patil, PCMC additional commissioner, told TOI.
While PCMC does not know yet how many people can avail themselves of the home isolation facility in the township, it is yet to aggressively push the option. It has just started giving the option to those people who stay in housing societies and have a spare room and a toilet.
PCMC commissioner Shravan Hardikar said wearing a mask is akin to having an 80% lockdown effect. “If people do not listen and continue to not wear masks and spit, then we will have to go for a real lockdown again, which nobody wants,” he said.