New quarantine protocol for PGI healthcare staff

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

The PGI has revised the protocol of quarantine policy for healthcare workers at the institute.

As per the new protocol, healthcare workers who have symptoms such as fever, cough, breathlessness or sore throat will report at screening OPD for Covid testing and will self-isolate themselves until the test report comes.

The protocol says in case the test result comes positive, workers will be isolated at the Nehru Hospital Extension or at home for 14 days. However, healthcare workers with high index of suspicion will be tested again after 72 hours.

Healthcare workers, who are exposed to positive patients, will be categorised as high or low risk. While low-risk workers can continue work with normal precautions and self-monitor their symptoms and get themselves tested on the fifth day of the exposure, high-risk workers warrant quarantine with testing on the fifth and seventh day.

The protocol also suggests that all healthcare workers should at least wear a surgical mask with a visor and gloves during patient care. They should have their meal and tea only in isolation during duty hours.