Guidelines for Home Isolation of very mild/pre-symptomatic COVID-19 cases

1. Scope

The present guidelines are in addition to guidelines on appropriate management of suspect/confirmed case

of COVID-19 issued by MoHFW on 7th April, 2020. All suspected (awaiting test results) and confirmed

cases of COVID-19 disease are currently being isolated and managed in a hospital setting with the intent

to break the chain of transmission.

As per existing guidelines, during the containment phase the patients should be clinically assigned as very

mild/mild, moderate or severe and accordingly admitted to (i) COVID Care Center, (ii) Dedicated

COVID Health Center or (iii) Dedicated COVID Hospital respectively. However, very mild/pre-

symptomatic patients having the requisite facility at his/her residence for self-isolation will have the

option for home isolation.

2. Eligibility for home isolation

i. The person should be clinically assigned as a very mild case/ pre-symptomatic case by the

treating medical officer.

ii. Such cases should have the requisite facility at their residence for self-isolation and also for

quarantining the family contacts.

iii. A care giver should be available to provide care on 24 x7 basis. A communication link

between the caregiver and hospital is a prerequisite for the entire duration of home isolation.

iv. The care giver and all close contacts of such cases should take Hydroxychloroquine

prophylaxis as per protocol and as prescribed by the treating medical officer.

v. Download Arogya Setu App on mobile (available at: https://www.mygov.in/aarogya-setu-

app/) and it should remain active at all times (through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi)

vi. The patient shall agree to monitor his health and regularly inform his health status to the

District Surveillance Officer for further follow up by the surveillance teams.

vii. The patient will fill in an undertaking on self-isolation (Annexure I) and shall follow home

quarantine guidelines. Such individual shall be eligible for home isolation.

viii. In addition to the guidelines on home-quarantine available at:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Guidelinesforhomequarantine.pdf, the required instructions for

the care giver and the patient as in Annexure II shall be also followed.

3. When to seek medical attention

Patient / Care giver will keep monitoring their health. Immediate medical attention must be sought if

serious signs or symptoms develop. These could include

(i) Difficulty in breathing,

(ii) Persistent pain/pressure in the chest,

(iii) Mental confusion or inability to arouse,

(iv) Developing bluish discolorations of lips/face and

(v) As advised by treating medical officer