What to know about suitable conditions for home quarantine and caring for Covid-19 patients at home
What conditions allow a Covid-19 patient to be quarantined at home in Malaysia? What precautions should family members take when a loved one in their household tests positive for Covid-19? Read on to learn what Ministry of Health (MoH) SOPs apply to Covid-19 patients under home quarantine in this detailed guide by Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara consultant emergency physician, Dr Mohamed Al-Hadi Mohamed Razhi.
See also: What To Eat, Drink Or Avoid For Your Covid-19 Vaccination
Patient requirements for home quarantine
After testing positive, patients will be assessed by a medical doctor on whether they meet the criteria for home quarantine. Adults who are below 60 years of age with no comorbidities or with stable, controlled comorbidities may be allowed to quarantine at home; the same applies to suitable obstetric patients (expecting mothers or women who have just given birth). Covid-19 patients who are 18 and below may also be eligible for home quarantine if they have a suitable caregiver and no comorbidities.
Related: Where To Get Tested For Covid-19 In Kuala Lumpur & Petaling Jaya
Patients on home quarantine must be contactable at all times by phone. They must be able to maintain a one-meter distance from other household members, and use separate eating utensils, tableware, towels and bedding. Ideally, they should quarantine in a separate bedroom with an attached bathroom that's not shared with other household members.
Home patients are required to wear face masks around their family members and to wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least two minutes (or use a hand sanitiser). Patients must not use public transport but instead arrange for ambulance to pick them up or use a personal vehicle for hospital visits. Importantly, patients must be responsible for their health status every day on their MySejahtera app and monitor their symptoms closely.