New Covid norms: Isolation for 7 days, no testing for asymptomatic contacts

New Delhi, January 5

Do not rush for self-medication, blood tests or chest X-rays or CT scans without a doctor’s advice, the government’s revised advisory for mild and asymptomatic Covid patients said today. Isolation period has been cut from 10 to at least seven days after testing positive and no fever for three days. Also, there is no need for retesting after home isolation. Asymptomatic contacts needn’t undergo Covid testing and could simply monitor their health in home quarantine, the advisory said.

Editorial: Covid shadow on growth 

Keeping in mind mass hoarding of essential drugs and steroids during the second wave, the revised Health Ministry advisory warned mild patients against using steroids. It said such unprescribed use could lead to fungal infection as seen in the past in black fungus cases.

“Clinically assigned mild cases are patients with upper respiratory tract symptoms with or without fever, without shortness of breath and having oxygen saturation at room air of more than 93,” it said. — TNS

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