COVID Positive? ::

(1) COVID Treatment

I tested COVID positive, what happens next?

Immediate actions

- 104 or +91-9745697456 // Emergency Medical Support // GoK - 14410 // Apthamitra Helpline
  • If you are an apartment resident, you should immediately inform your local residential/apartment association, who can offer support and ensure that authorities are informed.
  • Labs will directly inform the BBMP/State authorities about positive results and BBMP’s health team will visit your residence for a medical screening. They will check your body temperature, SpO2 levels and co-morbidities (like hypertension, diabetes, TB, HIV, cancer, etc.)
  • Depending on your symptoms, the health team will decide if you are eligible for home isolation or need treatment at a COVID-19 facility.
For a flow chart on what steps to follow - Click here Asymptomatic Patients Those with body temperature less than 37.5℃ (99.5 F), SpO2 levels over 95% and with mild symptoms are considered Asymptomatic and will be moved to a COVID Care Centre (CCC) or advised home isolation. CCCs are hotels, hostels, halls, etc., which have been turned into facilities for COVID-19 patients. Earlier, they were only meant for symptomatic non-patients, but now mild or asymptomatic cases are treated there. Symptomatic Patients with mild-moderate symptoms If body temperature is more than 37.5℃ (99.5 F) and SpO2 levels are between 90-94%, the patient will be moved to a Dedicated COVID Healthcare Centre (DCHC). At the DCHC, a more comprehensive health check-up will be done. Your BP, temperature, oxygen levels, blood sugar levels, renal and liver function tests, CBC, ECG, etc., will be checked. Depending on your results, you may be sent to a Dedicated COVID Hospital (DCH) for more comprehensive treatment. Symptomatic Patients with Severe Cases If your oxygen levels are below 90%, you will be sent to a DCH directly. If you’re aged above 60 years with comorbid conditions or are immuno-compromised, the same applies. If a patient’s health deteriorates at a CCC or DCHC, they too are sent to a DCH. If the person has not undergone a COVID-19 test, but has breathlessness, asthma or ILI, they will be shifted immediately to a COVID-19 hospital and tested compulsorily. Sourced from:
https://bengaluru.citizenmatters.in/what-to-do-if-you-test-positive-for-covid-bengaluru-guide-symptoms-testing-isolation-treatment-47597



What are my options for treatment if I am asymptomatic or if I have mild symptoms?

If the health team assesses that you do not need treatment at a Hospital, you have an option between the following: Home-isolation Your eligibility for home isolation will be evaluated by a BBMP health team. They will check you to ensure that you have a very mild/pre-symptomatic/asymptomatic case and do not have any comorbidities. They will assess your home to ensure that you have the facilities for home isolation and a tele-monitoring link will be set up. You will need to stay in the identified room and away from all other persons in your house, monitor your temperature and SpO2 levels regularly and report immediately if symptoms become worse. For detailed information regarding home-isolation, refer to the circular regarding home isolation by GoK, dt.: 04.07.20 Click here COVID Care Centers (CCCs)

  • BBMP CCCs - Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has notified six venues as COVID Care Centres (CCC) for asymptomatic patients.
- Government Ayurvedic Medical College - 200 beds - Hotel City Center International, Majestic - 200 beds. - Chancery Pavillion, Residency Road - 200 beds - G.K.V.K Agricultural Students Residences, University Campus - 1000 beds For further information you can refer to the BBMP circular dt.: 26.06.20 Click here
  • Community CCCs - The Government of Karnataka is reaching out to RWAs and Apartment Associations to set up COVID care centres (CCC) for isolation and management of asymptomatic and mild symptomatic COVID-19 cases in their premises. The Guidelines and SOPs for this include aspects like the facilities and amenities required for the centre, eligibility for admission to the CCC, Medical care given at the centre, daily monitoring and supervision by the medical staff, food and nutrition given to the patients, testing and reporting of the cases, and discharge from isolation.
For further information you can refer to the GoK issued guidelines dt.: 10.07.20 Click here



Which hospitals are treating COVID-19 patients and what is the treatment cost?

As of July 4, 2020, there are 19 government hospitals/medical colleges for COVID-19 treatment in Bengaluru. Of these, 4 are Designated COVID Hospitals (DCHs) and 16 are Designated COVID Healthcare Centres (DCHCs). There are two ways to get treated in private hospitals. If a patient is referred to private institutions by public health authorities, treatment cost is subsidised by insurance packages under the Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (Ab-Ark) scheme. Cost is higher if a patient approaches private hospitals directly, though the state government has capped costs. The following package rates inclusive of PPEs and other consumables shall apply for the treatment of COVID-19 patients:

  • Package rates for COID-19 patients referred by the Public Health Authorities shall be as follows:
- General ward - Rs.5200/- - HDU - Rs.7000/- - Isolation ICU without ventilator - Rs.8500/- - Isolation ICU with ventilator - Rs.10000/-
  • Package rate ceilings for private COVID-19 patients directly admitted by PHPs making cash payment (non-insurance) shall be as follows:
- General ward - Rs.5200/- - HDU - Rs.7000/- - Isolation ICU without ventilator - Rs.8500/- - Isolation ICU with ventilator - Rs.10000/- For detailed information regarding home-isolation, refer to the notification by GoK, dt.: 04.07.20 Click here



What preparations should I make if I need to be admitted to COVID care centre or Hospital?

  • BBMP/Health department would need to arrive with an ambulance and make a health assessment, only after the department receives a confirmed report.
  • Do not self-drive or go with someone to a hospital (Hospitals won’t accept a self-driven at any cost).
  • If you have insurance, get all the documents ready (No one from your family can come with you)
  • If you have a medical history file, keep it ready, especially the latest prescriptions and tests.
  • Pack your personal belongings for up to 14 days. Don’t forget your daily medications. Pack dry fruits, if needed
  • Carry a thermal flask or an electric kettle if need be to hot water needs (only if you are going to a CCC)
  • Ensure you have packed your mobile charger, cable, power bank, laptop
  • Ensure you have taken your credit card, Cheque book, Banking details etc. for the payments at the Hospital
Sourced from: https://www.karnataka.com/govt/what-to-do-if-you-are-tested-covid-positive/



Where can I check for bed availability?

You can check the availability of beds on the BBMP Dashboard



(2) Home Isolation

What are the protocols for Home Isolation?

The person in Home Isolation

  • Strictly stay in the identified room
  • Wear a medical face mask/ N-95 face mask at all times. The mask shall be discarded after 8 hours of use or earlier if it becomes wet or visibly soiled. If you are alone in the room you can rest without facemask, but as soon as anyone steps in the room you should wear the facemask.
  • Follow cough etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue paper/ handkerchief during sneeze/cough. Used tissue papers shall be disposed of in closed bins. If you don’t have tissue paper/handkerchief cover mouth and nose by the elbow
  • Check and record your temperature using a digital thermometer (shall be ≤ 100.40 F) in armpit and oxygen saturation with a fingertip pulse oximeter (shall be ≥95%) thrice daily.
  • Have separate utensils for yourself and eat food in your room
  • Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces in your room like phones, remote controls, counters, table-tops, doorknobs, keyboards, tablets, bedside tables, etc. with 7% Lysol or 1% sodium hypochlorite solution.
  • Gloves, masks, disposed tissue and other waste generated during home isolation shall be soaked in 1% sodium hypo-chlorite solution for 30 minutes and placed in a separate waste bag and disposed
  • Clean and disinfect bathroom, fixtures and toilet surfaces at least once daily. Regular household soap or detergent shall be used first for cleaning, followed by 1% sodium hypochlorite solution
  • Download Arogya Setu App, Quarantine watch App and Apthamitra App on your mobile (https://covid19.karnataka.gov.in/new-page/softwares/en) and shall remain active at all times (through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi)
  • Answer promptly to tele-monitoring call and report to the physician/ health authorities about your health status every day
For the caregiver:
  • The caregiver shall be an adult and in good health
  • Wear a medical face mask/ N-95 facemask appropriately when in the same room with the COVID-19 positive person. The front portion of the mask should not be touched or handled during use. Discard the mask after use and perform hand hygiene after disposal of the mask into a separate closed bin.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Practise hand hygiene before and after preparing food, before eating, after using the toilet, and whenever hands look dirty. Wash your hands with soap and water at least for 40 seconds or use alcohol-based hand rub
  • Avoid direct contact with body fluids of the COVID-19 positive person, particularly oral or respiratory secretions. Use disposable gloves while handling the person. Perform hand hygiene before and after removing gloves
  • Avoid exposure to potentially contaminated items. E.g. avoid sharing food, utensils, dishes, drinks, used towels or bed linen. Utensils and dishes used by the person shall be cleaned with soap/detergent and water wearing gloves
  • Food must be provided to the COVID-19 positive person in his/her room
  • Person’s clothes, bed linen, and bath and hand towels shall be washed separately using regular laundry soap and warm water or machine wash at 60–90 °C (140–194 °F) with common household detergent, and sun dried thoroughly
  • Gloves and protective clothing (e.g. plastic aprons) shall be used when cleaning surfaces or handling clothing or linen soiled with body fluids. Single-use gloves shall be used and discarded after each use
  • Assess your health with daily temperature monitoring and report promptly if you develop any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 like fever, cough, cold, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, etc.
  • Take HydroxyChloroquine Sulphate tablet under medical supervision
  • From the first day of home-isolation till the person is released from home isolation, ensure that no one in the household leaves the home.
  • Request the relatives, friends, neighbours to help with daily supply of essential items. Please tell people to leave essential items at the door-step Alternatively, one can order these items online and request home delivery
For the family members:
  • Do not panic. Do not stigmatise.
  • Keep the person cheerful and boost their morale
  • Ensure that the person is in strict home isolation
  • Maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres/ 6 feet from the person
  • Strictly do not allow visitors till the person is released from home isolation
For more information:
  1. Refer ‘COVID-19: Guidelines for Home Isolation’ by GoK dt.: 12.07.20 Click here
  2. Refer ‘Guidelines for Isolation of COVID-19 positive person at home’ by GoK dt.: 04.07.20 Click here



When should I seek immediate medical advice when I am in Home Isolation?

  • One should immediately seek medical advice if they experience the following symptoms:
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Oxygen saturation ≤ 94% using fingertip pulse oximeter
  • Persistent fever of ≥ 380 C (100.40 F) for more than 24 hours
  • Persistent pain/pressure in the chest
  • Mental confusion or inability to arouse
  • Slurred speech/seizures
  • Weakness or numbness in any limb or face
  • Developing bluish discolorations of lips/face
  • As advised by treating physician
  • Any other symptom
For more information, refer ‘Guidelines for Isolation of COVID-19 positive person at home’ by GoK dt.: 04.07.20 Click here



How can you sanitize your home on your own?

The following steps are recommended for cleaning the room and bathroom that the patient is using:

  • Clean surfaces in the room that are touched often (table-tops, doorknobs, handles, etc.)with 7% Lysol or 1% sodium hypochlorite solution
  • Clean and disinfect bathroom and toilet surfaces at least once daily. Regular household soap or detergent should be used first for cleaning, followed by1% sodium hypochlorite solution
  • Home can be sanitized by the resident itself using an Aquapro tablet dissolved in 10L water and sprayed can be done by self and used inside the apartment; similar sprays available in market for homes & cars.
For more information, refer ‘Guidelines for Isolation of COVID-19 positive person at home’ by GoK dt.: 04.07.20 Click here



How do you dispose of the waste from your house?

  • If possible, wait till the end of the Home Isolation period before being collected.
  • Bio/medical waste generated can be kept in a closed bin with some covers and await disposal till end of isolation period if possible.
  • Dry waste will be collected end of Home Isolation as far as possible
  • Wet waste can be home composted by mixing a handful of coco-peat powder in wet waste and keep mixing the same.
  • In case waste has to be collected - follow association rules prevalent & and ensure they are packed in at least 2 layers of protection.
For more details, refer to the Guidelines by Bangalore Apartments Federation dt.: 07.07.20 Click here