In what cases should COVID-19 patients practice home-based treatment?

COVID-19 patients can be treated at home if they are asymptomatic or exhibit mild symptoms without serious underlying diseases; their underlying diseases are in stable condition; or without serious heart, liver, lung, kidney and brain illnesses that necessitate hospitalization. 

What are the requirements for the living environment of homebound COVID-19 patients?

If conditions permit, homebound patients are advised to stay in separate rooms and use their own bathrooms.

What supplies should be prepared for home-based treatment?

Homebound patients should be supplied with personal protective supplies, including a separate thermometer, tissues, masks, disposable gloves, sanitizers and a trash can with a lid.

How to practice health monitoring for homebound patients?

Homebound patients need to take their body temperatures in the morning and at night daily and conduct self health monitoring. In case of fever, cough and other symptoms, they are advised to take medicine or other treatment measures accordingly.

①They need to follow the instructions before taking medicine and avoid abusing the usage of antibacterial drugs.

②They can contact medical staff of the primary-level medical institutions or consult medical institutions online if necessary.

③Asymptomatic patients need no medication. 

④Patients with underlying diseases but in stable condition don't need to make changes  in the dosage of their drugs taken at present. 

In what cases should homebound patients turn to hospitals for treatment?

Homebound patients should turn to hospitals for treatment by private cars or ambulances to the nearest hospitals in the medical treatment partnerships ( which is set up to promote effective cooperation and coordination between different types of medical institutions） in the following cases:

①They have difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath; 

②Their body temperatures remain above 38.5 ℃ for more than three days even after medicine taken;

③The conditions of those with underlying diseases obviously aggravate and cannot be controlled;

④Children suffer from somnolence, persistent food refusal, feeding difficulties, persistent diarrhea/vomiting, etc;

⑤Pregnant women have headache, dizziness, palpitation, suffocation, or abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, fluids, abnormal fetal movement and other symptoms.

What protective measures should be taken during homebound treatment?

①Try to avoid physical contact with other family members.

②Open windows on a regular basis every day to keep rooms well-ventilated. If there is no natural ventilation condition, exhaust fans can be used for mechanical ventilation;

③Ventilate and disinfect shared areas such as toilets and bathrooms;

④Wash or disinfect hands when preparing food, before taking meals, after using toilets, and when removing and wearing masks, etc;

⑤Use a tissue or elbow pit to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and throw the used tissue into the trash can;

⑥Avoid sharing household items with family members. Clean and disinfect the tableware after use;

⑦Articles that may be touched by the patients and their towels, clothes, quilt covers, etc. shall be cleaned and disinfected in time. Their personal belongings shall be placed separately.

⑧The patients shall disinfect the toilet every time after using if they share it with their family; and they shall disinfect it once a day if they use a separate one.

⑨Used tissues, masks, disposable gloves and other household waste shall be put into plastic bags and placed in trash cans for exclusive use.

⑩Articles shall be disinfected once contaminated by saliva, sputa, etc.