People who test COVID-19 positive by the rapid antigen method will be examined by a medical officer at the testing site to assess the severity of the illness, says the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Delhi Health Department on Monday night.
It also said the assessment made by the medical officer shall “effectively constitute as the assessment made at the COVID-care centre”. The SOP also states that in the case of those who have tested positive in RT-PCR tests, a team of district surveillance officers will contact these patients on telephone to assess the category of illness.
For cases that need to be shifted to hospitals or COVID healthcare centres, the transfer will be made by ambulances, it said. For effective contact tracing, a dedicated team of callers will record details of the people who were in contact with COVID-19 positive cases since the onset of symptoms. The guidelines come after an order on home isolation by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal was modified.
In view of the surge in the coronavirus cases, the Lt Governor had last week ordered mandatory institutional quarantine. The move was opposed by the AAP government. However, according to the order, all individuals who are positive will be referred to COVID care centres for assessment of clinical conditions, severity of illness and presence of co-morbidities.
