Health Ministry new criteria to tackle COVID-19

The Ministry of Health has updated the guidelines on laboratory testing strategy for COVID-19, integrated home-based isolation and management of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients, discharge criteria from treatment facilities and Exit strategy for COVID-19 positive employees.

The Ministry states that a COVID-19 patient, admitted to a Treatment Facility, can be released from isolation after seven days, from the date of Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)/PCR positivity (or from the date of onset of symptoms), if he or she has improved from mild/moderate symptoms and is fever free for 48 hours without antipyretics. Exit PCR or RAT for such a person is now not required. The same criteria apply for a patient under the home care management system. Meanwhile a person who has shown mild / moderate symptoms of COVID or is having fever for more than 48 hours, should contact the Medical Officer of Health of the area for medical advice.

The Ministry also changed the guidelines for close contacts of COVID-19 Patients. The Ministry states that close contacts who are fully vaccinated need not quarantine if they do not have symptoms of COVID- 19. Such contacts can continue to work if employed. However, if they develop COVID- 19 symptoms, they should undergo a RAT/PCR test.

All partially vaccinated or unvaccinated close contacts can be released from home quarantine after seven days from the date of RAT/PCR positivity (or from the date of onset of symptoms) of the patient. If partially vaccinated or unvaccinated close contacts develop COVID-19 symptoms during the quarantine period, they should undergo a RAT/PCR test. If the test report is positive, they should inform area Medical Officer of Health (MOH).

The Ministry also defined who qualifies as a fully vaccinated person. For those above 20 the criteria are those who have taken two doses of a recommended COVID-19 vaccine and has completed two weeks after the second dose. Fully vaccinated status will be valid until three months from the second dose. A double jabbed person is not considered fully vaccinated after three months of the second dose. Such a person needs a booster dose to be considered fully vaccinated. If a person is infected with COVID-19 after being double jabbed, the booster dose can be administered after a month of infection provided the person has completed three months after the second dose. They should be considered as fully vaccinated with the booster dose.

A fully vaccinated child between 16 and 19 is one who has taken two doses and completed two weeks after the second dose. A fully vaccinated child between 12 — 15 years is one who has taken a single dose and completed two weeks after the single dose.