Home quarantine for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients is suicidal: Himanta Biswa Sarma

 Aggressive treatment for serious patients begins

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Now, aggressive treatment like plasma therapy and remdesivir medicines has been started against a few serious COVID-19 patients who are now in ICUs (Intensive Care Units). Some of them have shown slight improvement. The sudden spurt in COVID-19 toll in the State has prompted the Health department to go for such treatments.

Meanwhile, talking to the media on Saturday, State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Some quarters have been criticizing us for not keeping asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in home quarantine. They cite ICMR standing guidelines too. However, such a move will be suicidal for us. We can't obey this ICMR guideline because families in Assam generally have three generations – grandparents, parents and children. A COVID-19 patient is fraught with infecting ten others in a joint family.

"However, we're not totally averse to complete home quarantine. Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients who opt for home quarantine can be allowed only under certain conditions. First, the neighbours of the family should give a written NOC (No Objection Certificate). Second, the family shouldn't have any old parents. Third, the family should have a tie-up with a private doctor for visiting home. Last but not the least, the family should have own cars to take the patient to the hospital when his/her condition deteriorates. And fifth, the family should have own pulse actometer."

The Minister also gave a solution to patients other than that of COVID-19 having to submit COVID-free certificates before seeking treatment from private doctors and nursing homes. "To do away with this problem, we advise such patients to go to the GMCH first for corona test. They will be given their certificate for COVID-19 status within 24 hours. With such certificates, COVID negative patients can go for treatment anywhere.

"We've also made arrangements for aged COVID-19 patients, pregnant women and children as well. Aged COVID patients with other diseases as well will be given treatment at Khanapara COVID Care Centre where along with COVID-19, tests of other ailments will also be conducted. Likewise, COVID patients who are pregnant women or children will be treated at the Child Hospital near the MMCH. Along with COVID-19, treatment for gynaecology and child ailments will also be provided," Sarma said.

The Minister has made it clear that without the prime cause of death underlined as COVID, no death will be added to the COVID toll.

On people coming to the State by flights, Sarma said that after their antigen test at the airport itself, all COVID-19 negative people will be sent straight to their residences for home quarantine. 

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