Home Isolation

Home Isolation Service

Home Based Care

It is no longer possible to isolate all patients in hospital based treatment facilities.Hospital care should be prioritized for those with highest probability of poor outcomes, that is, patients with severe and critical illness and those with mild disease and risk for poor outcome (age>60 years, cases with underlying comorbidities, e.g., chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, cancer). Where possible safe home care should be considered for patients with suspected COVID-19 who present with no symptoms or mild symptoms. This should be done with guidance from medical and public health officials.

Patients Eligible for Home Based Care:

Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19.
Asymptomatic patients or patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19.
Absence of co-morbidities.
Access to a suitable space for home based care

Assessing Feasibility of Home-Based Care:

It is important to note that the decision to care for a patient at home requires careful clinical judgment and should be informed by an assessment of the suitability of the patient’s home environment.

The patient is stable enough to receive care at home.
Appropriate care givers are available at home.
There is a separate bedroom or isolation space where the patient can recover without sharing immediate space with others.
Resources for access to food and other amenities and necessities are available.
The patient and other household members have access to appropriate, recommended personal protective equipment (at a minimum, gloves and face mask) and are capable of adhering to precautions recommended as part of home care or isolation (e.g. Respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette and hand hygiene).
Availability of thermometer and a person able to read and record the temperature. (non-contactor individually used thermometers)
There are NO household members who may be at increased risk of complications from COVID-19 infection e.g. people>65 years old, young children, pregnant women, people who are immune compromised or who have chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions.