Coronavirus: Punjab Health dept mulls no hospitalisation, home quarantine for asymptomatic patients

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 19

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The Punjab health department is contemplating tweaking the existing COVID-19 protocol to allow asymptomatic coronavirus patients to be put under home-quarantine instead of hospitalising them.

If implemented, Punjab would be the first state to do so.

The department is holding discussions through video-conferencing with health experts to reach a conclusion in this regard. However, it has been learned that the department has not reached a consensus so far.

Dr Avneet Kaur, Director, Health and Family Welfare, said, “The discussions are on, but no decision has been taken so far. It is too early to make a comment, but we are considering this option.”

As of now, the state health department is admitting every coronavirus patient to the hospital.

Epidemiologists have maintained that Punjab has not witnessed a major outbreak so far and resorting to home isolation could prove fatal in the future. Moreover, the majority of the coronavirus cases in the state had been migrating cases, said experts.

The Health Department will face a herculean task monitoring asymptomatic patients if they are home-isolated. In the past, several suspected patients—including the Patiala Senior Deputy Mayor—have violated the conditions of home-quarantine. The department is likely to track positive patients with the COVA application.