Step 1: Get tested when at risk

Risk: Have symptoms (cough, sore throat, fever, difficulty breathing, loss of smell/taste) or have recently been in contact with F0.

Testing: Rapid test on day 1 and 3, PCR test on day 3.

Step 2: When the result is positive

Conditions for self-isolation at home:

- No symptoms or mild symptoms (fever below 38.5 degrees Celsius, no signs of respiratory failure, Sp02 above 96%).

- Under 50 years old, not pregnant, no underlying disease or stable underlying disease, received 2 doses of vaccine or 1st dose 14 days or more apart.

- The house has a private space to ensure isolation (separate room, separate WC).

- Able to care for oneself or have a caregiver.

Prepare:

- Self-isolate in a separate room (separate meals, separate toilet, wear a mask when entering common spaces, spray disinfectant on common contact surfaces).

- Ward health newspaper.

- Prepare materials:

+ Medical masks for the whole family for 2-3 weeks.

+ Medical gloves for caregivers for 2-3 weeks.

+ Waste bin has nylon bag lining inside.

+ Patient's own utensils (dishes, bottles, drinking cups).

+ Medical equipment: Rapid test strips (5 strips/F0, 2 strips/F1), thermometer, SpO2 meter.

+ Medicines: Fever reducer, saline solution for gargling, nasal irrigation, Ozerol, throat tablets, diarrhea medicine, multivitamins, antiviral drugs (consult your doctor).

- Prepare food for 7-10 days.

Houses with people in quarantine must have a notice sign in front of them. Photo courtesy of Tien Hung

Step 3: Treatment

A. If symptoms are mild:

- Fever: For adults: If fever > 38.5 degrees Celsius or severe headache or body aches, take 1 fever-reducing pill such as Paracetamol 0.5g at a time, can be repeated every 4-6 hours, no more than 4 pills per day; take Oresol if drinking is poor/reduced or can be used instead of water.

For children: If fever > 38.5 degrees Celsius, take antipyretics such as Paracetamol at a dose of 10-15mg/kg/time, can be repeated every 4-6 hours, no more than 4 times a day. If taking antipyretics twice does not help, notify the medical staff managing F0 at home.

- Cough: Use cough suppressant as prescribed by your doctor.

- Measure Sp02 index daily, take vitamin supplements, gargle, wash nose.

B. Light exercise:People with and suspected of having Covid-19 are encouraged to exercise moderately to monitor for shortness of breath and improve their health.

C. F0 needs a healthy diet(eat enough of the 4 food groups, increase vegetables and fruits, eat hot food, drink warm water…).

D. Keep your house clean, airy, limit reading negative news. Patients can relax by reading books, watching movies...

Step 4: Monitor for signs of worsening condition, requiring hospitalization

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath; chest pain; SpO2 index ≤ 95%; changes in consciousness such as confusion, drowsiness, lethargy, fatigue... are signs of F0 that require hospitalization.

Step 5: Conditions for lifting quarantine

According to the Ministry of Health's Covid-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines:

- Isolate and treat for 7 days and have a negative rapid test result performed by medical staff or by the patient himself/herself under the supervision of medical staff.

- In case the test result is still positive after 7 days, continue to isolate for 10 days for people who have received full doses of vaccine and 14 days for people who have not received full doses of vaccine.

The medical station that manages F0 is responsible for confirming the patient's recovery.