Bihar as of Sunday had 9,602 active cases while UP has almost the double number of active cases at 18,256, with UP reporting its highest number of 2250 cases in 24 hours while Bihar saw 1382. UP government in an order on Saturday allowing hotel isolation admitted that asymptomatic patients are hiding their ailment as they do not want to get admitted due to inadequate facilities at Covid Care centres. Home-isolation for such patients was viewed as a successful model in worst-affected states like Delhi which are now recovering. Centre’s policy allows home isolation for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients if necessary facilities exist, as this reduces the load on hospitals.
The Nitish Kumar government has decided to adopt the same now and as per an order of state health secretary U.S. Kumawat, accessed by ET, asymptomatic patients can remain in home isolation after giving a undertaking to the district administration and on approval of the local authorities. “This will be only allowed if the necessary facility is available at home. On developing any symptom, the patient will have to contact the nearest health centre so that comprehensive treatment can be provided. The home isolation will end after 14 days if no symptoms emerge,” the order says.
The undertaking says during home-isolation “I will monitor my health and those around me and interact with the assigned surveillance team or with the Call Centre in case I suffer from any deteriorating symptoms or any of my close family contacts develops and symptoms consistent with COVID – 19.” The undertaking says the patient will be liable to be acted on under law for any non-adherence to the protocol.
UP has so far not allowed home isolation but on Saturday had offered hotel isolation as an option for asymptomatic patients. UP said hotels will be enmarked in each district as isolation facilities for asymptomatic patients at their cost of Rs 1500-Rs 2000 per day besides food and Rs 2000 payment upfront for medical treatment by government doctors. The Samajwadi Party has questioned this, saying the rates are too high, and the state government should foot the cost.