In an attempt to closely monitor, control and discharge patients showcasing varied degree of coronavirus symptoms, a new and revised State Discharge Policy has been put into action. This includes discharge and subsequent quarantine procedures for Coronavirus patients that are asymptomatic, have mild or initial symptoms, or show moderate and severe symptoms.
Segmentation for Observation
In a new order issued on July 22, the Chief Health Secretary has enlisted a revised discharge policy in Uttar Pradesh. The new policy systematically categorises patients, based on the degree of identified coronavirus symptoms, such as asymptomatic, with mild, moderated or severe symptoms. It has a unique procedure of monitoring and discharging different patients in these various categories.
For Asymptomatic Patients in home isolation, that have been registered on upcovid19tracks.in portal by the District Administrative Officer shall be interrogated about the cultivation of any symptom through a system set up the Chief Medical Official for a period of 10 days after registration. If in these 10 days, if any coronavirus symptom is showcased by the patient, then based on the symptom, the age of the patient and the comorbidities, they will be admitted to the covid treatment unit. If no symptoms of virus manifestation are present in the patient, they shall be declared recovered on the portal; however, will remain in home isolation for the next 7 days. For asymptomatic patients in institutional quarantine, if no symptoms are manifested in either 10 days of initial report or 7 days of institutional quarantine (whichever comes later), the patient shall be declared recovered and will have to remain in home isolation for a period of 8 days.
For patients with mild symptoms like mild fever, mild cough, throat pain or sore throat will have to submit their follow-up sample on the 8th day of their initial diagnosis through the true not machine. If the patient tests negative in the follow up test, they will have to go through 7 days of home isolation post either 10 days of initial diagnosis and showcasing symptoms or 3 continuous days of recording regular (normal) temperature.
Patients reporting lower respiratory track infections, and difficulty in breathing along with cough and fever come in the moderate symptom category. These patients may also complain about nasal flaring, rib pain and acute respiratory failure and need to be admitted to L2 or L3 Covid care facilities only. Patients with severe symptoms who are unable to maintain oxygen saturation even after external supply, those on ventilators and the ones that are immuno compromised with organ failures, cancer or HIV will also be admitted to dedicated L2 and L3 Covid care facilities. The discharge policies of both these categories is the same. Post 12 days of initial diagnosis or 3 days of showcasing no symptoms, whichever is first reported by the patient, a follow up test shall be conducted. If the patient tests negative, discharge with 7 days of home quarantine will be initiated.
All patients discharged under this new policy will have to confirm no symptoms of infection, no fever for 3 continuous days and an oxygen saturation of 94% without external support. Severely symptomatic patients who are discharged also need to get a chest X-ray done.
