Bhubaneswar: In a significant move, the Odisha Government today allowed persons having positive cases with asymptomatic or mild symptoms to stay in home quarantine instead of institutional quarantine.
The decision to this effect was taken after the Centre issued the latest guideline on home quarantine on May 10.
Briefing the media, Additional Chief Secretary of Health department, P.K Mohapatra said a patient with mild symptoms or asymptomatic can be discharged after 10 days of developing the symptoms or three days if the concerned person does not suffer from fever.
In case of a severe patient, the concerned person can be discharged three days after no symptoms, he added.
While the patients with mild or asymptomatic will be allowed for home isolation only if the concerned person has facility for separate toilet and a room at his/her home.
If someone fails to meet the conditions, he/she will kept at the institutional quarantine. The patient will be under surveillance of the medical team.
Initially, the decision on home isolation will be effective in urban areas of the State.
The home quarantined person will be stamped in their hand and a special band will be tied in their wrist.
Besides, as normal practice, quarantine sticker will be pasted on the wall of the house.