Over 6 million people have been tested positive for infectious coronavirus in India and. A total of 80,472 infections were reported on September 30 only. With the government easing restriction even further in Unlock 5.0 and increasing the number of tests every day, chances are that more and more people are tested positive for the disease.
In such a scenario, the first thing than one needs to do is to go for home quarantine. But how exactly this needs to be done? Here we are going to tell you everything that you need to do when tested positive for COVID-19.
How To Home Quarantine Yourself
This can vary depending on the situation. If the entire family has been tested positive, which is not rare, they can self-quarantine together in a house. But in cases where only one person of the family has been tested positive, it is better to discuss the situation with a health care provider who can suggest the best possible situation to keep other members safe.
Sometimes a positive patient can quarantine himself at a hotel. Other times, he can isolation himself in a bedroom with an attached bathroom. If this is not possible, other family members must wear masks at all times in shared spaces.
If you are using the same bathroom, do wipe down it with disinfectant after use. As SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in stool, keep the lid on the toilet before flushing.
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Who Should Cook Food
A coronavirus infected person should not cook food, if possible. In case they have to, they must prepare it only for him and then clean the kitchen surface after that.
When To Contact A Doctor
COVID-19 is at its worst typically 8-10 days after symptoms begin. If your breathing gets more difficult, you should immediately call a doctor or health care provider. Keep a watch on other signs like tiredness and fever. If you are too tired to even take a shower, call the doctor without wasting any minute.
Monitor Your Oxygen At Home
Coronavirus often impacts the transfer of oxygen into the bloodstream but a COVID-19 positive person doesn’t always feel short of breath when oxygen levels are low. So patients must use a pulse oximeter to monitor the percentage of oxygen. It can easily clamp on to your finger and monitor it. If the reading is 97 per cent or above, you are perfectly fine. But reading below 96 can be a cause of concern. You will have to wait for 30 to 60 seconds to get a steady reading. Sometimes your oximeter may pick signal better in another finger so it is advisable to change it. The highest reading of your pulse oximeter is the correct one.
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Stay Comfortable
Lying on the stomach, called proning, may ease your breathing. If possible, take a small walk once every hour to avoid back pain and stiffness.
Speed Up Your Healing
Doctors recommend going out once for 15 minutes every day to get some vitamin D. But it should be done safely without going into public places. Also, stay well-hydrated.
When And How To End Quarantine
People should be in self-quarantine for at least three days following the beginning of fever and 10-day after symptoms start. After ending self-isolation, they should wear a face mask while moving outside in public and should wash hands frequently.