SHILLONG: The Health department has revised the discharge policy for COVID-19 which involves categorisation of patients based on clinical severity, a statement, issued here on Wednesday, said.
As per the revised policy, COVID patients with mild/very mild or pre-symptomatic conditions, admitted to a Corona Care Centre, can be discharged after 10 days of symptom onset and no signs of fever for three days. At the time of discharge, patients will be advised to follow home isolation further seven days. There will be no need for testing prior to discharge, the statement said. The health of the patient will be followed up through teleconference on 14th day. However, the patient will have to contact the centre or 108 services if symptoms develop again after discharge.
Moderate cases
For patients with moderate case admitted to a dedicated COVID health centre (oxygen beds), if the symptoms fade away within three days and the body maintains saturation above 95 per cent for the next four days, such patients can be discharged after 10 days of symptoms onset. However, if the fever does not resolve within three days and demand of oxygentherapy continues, the patient will be discharged only after resolution of clinical symptoms and gaining the ability to maintain oxygen saturation for three consecutive days.
Severe cases
Discharge criteria for severe cases will be based on clinical recovery i.e. if the patient tests negative for COVID through RT-PCR test and after resolution of symptoms.
Home isolation option
However, for very mild or pre-symptomatic cases, the Health department has given those patients with the requisite facility at his/her residence the option for home isolation.