A doctor's guide on what to do if you get Covid-19 and told to stay home
Allowing asymptomatic Covid-19 patients to stay at home, a practice done in some countries such as the US, has long been frowned upon in Malaysia but as the pandemic escalates, local health authorities are being left with little choice.
The fact that Malaysia will send any Covid-19 patient to hospital or isolation centres, no matter how minor the symptoms, is something that the Health Ministry has taken pride in...
Allowing asymptomatic Covid-19 patients to stay at home, a practice done in some countries such as the US, has long been frowned upon in Malaysia but as the pandemic escalates, local health authorities are being left with little choice.
The fact that Malaysia will send any Covid-19 patient to hospital or isolation centres, no matter how minor the symptoms, is something that the Health Ministry has taken pride in.
Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had in April even touted how the policy had helped curb the spread of Covid-19.
But as the number of active Covid-19 patients hit a record high day after day, with 22,562 under treatment as of yesterday, there are no longer enough beds for all Covid-19 patients. Nor are there enough ambulances to ferry them.
Even as stadiums and convention centres are being converted into isolation centres for Covid-19 patients, Noor Hisham last week advised asymptomatic Covid-19 patients to stay home first until beds become available.
The change in approach - not due to a willful change of policy but because the public healthcare system is now stretched to its limits - has led to confusion.
Some people who test positive for Covid-19 don't know what to do as they wait for days before they are picked up by the Health Ministry.
Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, a consultant paediatrician at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital who has also provided regular analysis on the Covid-19 pandemic, advised on some interim action that Covid-19 patients can take while waiting at home.
His guideline is as follows:
1. If you have a positive test result but do not have symptoms, stay at home and #SelfIsolate as soon as you receive the results.
2. Your household needs to isolate too.
3. The health district department will contact you in due course.
4. You can leave your home only in certain circumstances.
5. But do not go to work, school, or public spaces.
6. Do not use public transport or taxis.
7. If you need to leave your home, you must observe strict wearing of masks and physical distancing and return immediately afterwards.
8. In Selangor, Selangor Task Force Covid-19 (STFC) informs your test results via the SeLangkah app within 24 hours of testing so you do not need to leave your home to get your test results.
9. Stay as far away from other members of your household as possible, especially if they are in high-risk groups.
10. Wherever possible, avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat.
11. Wear a face covering or a surgical mask when spending time in shared areas inside your home.
12. Exercise within your home, garden or private outdoor space.
13. Follow the general advice to reduce the spread of the infection within your household.
14. Your isolation period includes the day your test was taken and the next 10 full days.
15. This means that if, for example, the first positive Covid test was taken on the 15th, your isolation period ends at 23:59 hours on the 25th.
16. The official 10-day self-isolation period begins from the positive test result.
17. Most people with Covid-19 will experience a mild illness. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness or the illness of someone in your household is worsening.
18. You can return to your normal routine and stop self-isolating after 10 full days if you have remained well, or if the only symptoms you have are a mild cough or loss of smell, which can sometimes last for several weeks.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.