While the United States has decreased the isolation period for asymptomatic Omicron patients from 10 to 5 days, Indian specialists believe the move will not help the variation spread.
The new proposal from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is not suitable, according to a senior public hospital doctor. “Without a negative test, how can a patient be released from isolation? The illness could be spread by the sufferer to others “he stated .
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shortened the period of isolation for asymptomatic individuals from 10 to 5 days on Tuesday, followed by five days of wearing a mask when others are present. According to a CDC press release, science has shown that the bulk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of sickness, often 1-2 days prior to the onset of symptoms and 2-3 days afterward.
Most passengers who tested positive for Omicron in Mumbai were placed in isolation at SevenHills Hospital in Andheri for ten days or until a negative RT-PCR test was obtained. Following that, they must isolate themselves at home for a week. “Most Omicron patients are asymptomatic or have minimal disease, so they don’t understand why they’re detained in hospitals for 10-plus days,” stated a private hospital doctor.
In India, the 14-day isolation period is determined from the day of the test instead of the start of symptoms, according to Dr Paresh Navalkar of Life supporters Institute of Health Sciences. “In Mumbai, patients have symptoms on day one, see a doctor on day two, get tested on day three or four, and report on day four or five.” They must then adhere to a 14-day quarantine. As a result, a patient and his or her family lose 18-19 days. This has a negative impact on livelihood and causes mental distress,” he said, adding that the civic system lacks proper monitoring systems to ensure that house isolation is adhered to.
