HOW ARE COVID-19 CASES IDENTIFIED, TREATED AND DISCHARGED ?

HOW CAN ONE GET THEMSELVES TESTED?

• An individual with symptoms or contact or travel history should approach the nearest health facility.
• THey can also call the official helpline number for their state to report symptoms.

WHAT IS THE TESTING PROCEDURE?

1. Samples are collected suspected cases, preferably nasal and throat swabs.
2. These are mixe in a viral transport medium and transported on ice to the designated labs for testing.
3. With every sample, a requisition from with the individual's personal details, exposure history, symptoms, etc. must be filled.
4. Precautions like using PPE, for infection control during all procedures must be taken along with proper waste disposal measures,

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TEST RESULT IS NEGATIVE?

• Until lab results are out, the person is kept in isolation at the health facility with continuing treatment and then discharged depending on the dianosis.
• However, they are further monitored for 14 days from the day they returned to india from the day they made contact, whichever is latest.

WHAT HAPPENS IN CASE OF A POSITIVE TEST RESULT?

• For those tested positive, a confirmed case management protocol is followed which  lists the drugs and containment measures to be used for treatment, depending upon the severity of the illness.

WHEN CAN THE COVID-19 PATIENT BE DISCHARGED?

• The person is discharged only after their chest radiograph is clear.
• 2 respiratory samples, one taken after 14 days from the time the first samples was collected which was tested positive and the other taken within 24 hours of the previous sample, should both test negative for covid-19. 

ISOLATION vs  QUARANTINE?

• Quaratine - Separation of individuals who have been exposed to an infected person and have a potential to get infected. Persons with travel history will be under temporary home quarantine.
• Isolation - Separation of individuals who are ill and are suspected or confirmed cases of Covid -19. They aren kept in isolation untill they test negative for the virus.