Publication:

Feasibility of the home isolation programme for adults and children with COVID-19

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an upsurge of cases in many countries leading to inadequate quarantine facilities and hospital beds. Studies on the feasibility of home isolation for COVID-19 patients are the need of the hour. This is the first study from India on the feasibility of home isolation to the best of the author's knowledge.

Methods This methodical study was conducted at a designated COVID-19 tertiary care hospital in India, which included all patients enrolled for the home isolation programme from the 4 July to 3 August 2020. Laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients were assessed during the enrolment for their eligibility for home isolation. The enrolled patients were followed up once daily over a telephonic call with objective parameters like temperature, pulse and oxygen saturation.

Results There were a total of 447 adults and 67 children. Amongst adults, hypertension was the most common co-morbid condition seen in 23 (5.15%) followed by diabetes in 18 (4.03%) patients. Only 24 (5.37%) patients were hospitalised during the duration of home isolation due to reasons like persistent fever, decreased SpO2, and non-medical ones like anxiety regarding the disease. Age and the presence of co-morbidities were directly related to the requirement of hospitalisation. No children required hospitalisation. There were no deaths.

Conclusions Home isolation is effective for COVID-19 patients in resource limited settings. We provide strong evidence for adapting it for asymptomatic and mild symptomatic cases with judicious use of resources and without compromising the risk to patients.