ITANAGAR, May 22: Reacting to the report ‘Arunachal Govt not clear on quarantine rules’ that appeared on this daily today, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), GoAP, has come up with clarifications.
We need to understand that the COVID-19 situation is an evolving one not only in our country but also all over the world at different levels. To this effect, the Standard Operation Protocols (SOPs) are designed by the MoHFW from time to time with necessary addition and deletions.
For example, the revised discharge policy for COVID-19 in the case of
mild/very mild/pre-symptomatic cases admitted to a COVID Care Facility can be discharged after 10 days of symptom onset and no fever for three days. There will be no need for testing prior to discharge. At the time of discharge, the patient will be advised to follow the home isolation for further seven days as per guidelines, clarified the DHS.
Here in Arunachal Pradesh, on the line of taking extreme caution, we are testing all returnees by RT-PCR including those who are asymptomatic. The sample is collected after three days of stay in the quarantine facility and those who are tested negative are released to undergo strict home quarantine for period of 14-days after signing undertaking, which will be countersigned by the magistrate on duty and legal guardian as a witness.
The do’s and don’ts of home quarantine are clearly explained to the subject and the local guardian. There is no need for second test after 13-14 days for the return.
Shedding light on the issue of taking sample on the 1st day itself, the Health department said this was not in the SOP and will not be allowed to do so in future.
Covid-19 samples collection tally at 4844
ITANAGAR: The bulletin issued by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) late this evening stated that a total of 4844 samples for suspected COVID-19 have been collected so far in the State for laboratory testing, of which 4149 tested negative, 62 more came out negative on repeat tests while results of 631 are awaited.
According to the DHS bulletin, 406 samples (all new) for suspected COVID-19 were collected today for laboratory testing, the results of which along with 225 others, totaling 631 are yet to come.
As per the DHS bulletin, of the total 4844, the highest number of samples has been collected from Capital Complex with the total at 1744, of which 1616 tested negative, 21 more tested negative on repeat tests and results of 107 are awaited.
Changlang district continue to be placed second with 526 samples collected so far for suspected COVID-19, of which 438 tested negative and results of 88 are yet to come.
East Siang held on to its third spot with a collection of 427 samples till now for suspected COVID-19, of which 382 tested negative and results of 45 are yet to be obtained.