The Union Health Ministry on Friday released guidelines for residential complexes that wish to set up small Covid care facilities in their premises.

According to the guidelines, a Covid care facility will be a dedicated health facility for management of suspect, asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and very mild coronavirus cases among the residents of the particular gated complex, and will be set up using the resources of RWAs, Residential Societies or NGOs.

The Centre agreed to this home isolation theory in June after their initial denial. They released a detail home isolation guidelines for the states which were willing to implement it. The health ministry has now come up with fresh guidelines for gated residential societies to allow them a proper isolation centre within their premises with all medical care and attention.

HERE’S WHAT GUIDELINES SAY:

FACILITY IS NOT MEANT FOR :

>> Elderly patient,

>> Child (less than 10 years)

>> Pregnant/lactating women

>> Patients with comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer, other immune-compromised states)

PREVENTIVE AND RESPONSE MEASURES IN GATED SOCIETIES

The generic measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of Covid -19. These measures need to be observed by all (residents, visitors and staff) in these places at all times. These include:

>> Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible

>> Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory.

>> Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty.

>> Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible.

>> Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed, including covering one’s mouth-nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing of used tissues properly.

>> Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.

>> Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.

>> Installation and use of AarogyaSetu App shall be advised to all.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

>> Provisions must be made for the display of Posters/standees/AV media on preventive measures about Covid-19, common signs and symptoms,

>> need for early reporting and sanitization of premises, etc. prominently outside and inside of the gated complex

>> Provisions for hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) should be made available at entry points and in work areas.

>> Thermal screening of visitors/staff is to be carried out at entry points and only asymptomatic individuals shall be allowed to enter the premises.

>> Vendors, household helps, car cleaners, delivery personnel etc. will also undergo such screening daily

>> Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible at all locations at all times in all common areas, including parks, corridors, lift lobbies, gyms, clubs etc.

>> Seating arrangement, in common areas like parks etc. to be made in such a way that adequate social distancing is maintained.

>> Number of people in the elevators shall be restricted, duly maintaining social distancing norms.

>> Frequent sanitization of the common facilities and all points which come into human contact, e.g. door handles, benches, elevator buttons, electric switches, railings, etc. shall be ensured.

>> Ensure regular supply of hand-sanitisers, soap and running water in the common areas and washrooms, as applicable.

>> For air-conditioning/ventilation of common areas, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which inter alia emphasizes that the

>> Temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30 degrees Celsius, relative humidity should be in the range of 40- 70 per cent.

>> Recirculation of air to be avoided to the extent possible, Intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and (v) cross ventilation should be adequate.

>> RWAs will encourage all residents to inform them in case any resident reports symptoms suggestive of Covid-19.

>> RWAs will be an important stakeholder in Covid-19 prevention, control and containment activities.

WHAT RWAs SHOULD DO:

>> Follow government advisories for the citizens available on their respective websites and disseminate it further through notice board or the RWA social media/chat groups to the members.

>> Maintain suitable linkages with nearest health facilities to handle any health contingencies such as any person developing symptoms of Covid-19.

>> Address myths and misinformation/rumours / fake news on the RWA’s social media by verifying the facts from government sources.

>> Address stigmatization. Oversee availability of masks, pulse oximeter, sodium hypochlorite solution, soaps and water supply in common areas, OTC drugs like paracetamol, ORS etc.

>> The RWAs / residential societies desirous of setting up Covid Care Facility can plan such facilities as per the detailed guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

>> This shall only be made operational if the required guidelines and standards are met and shall be continued as per the direction issued by the local health authorities / RRTs.

MEASURES TO BE TAKEN ON OCCURRENCE OF CASE(S)

>> RWA shall encourage residents to self-report symptoms and facilitate their testing, isolation and quarantine of contacts. ii.

>> Provide counselling, guidance and support to COVID-19 affected individuals and families.

>> Special attention is required in such households which have no family member to take care of the dependants.

>> A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician)

>> Further advice shall be made regarding the management of the case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection.

>> If public health authority clears the patient for home quarantine of contacts/ home isolation of patient, RWA shall facilitate those under home quarantine /isolation to remain within their homes.

>> Provide social support and avoid stigmatization of those under home quarantine/isolation.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IF GATED COMPLEX IS DECLARED AS PART OF A CONTAINMENT ZONE

>> RWAs will cooperate with the local health authorities in carrying out various activities as stipulated in the containment plan

>> Facilitate house-to-house search by healthcare workers. ii. Facilitate identification of elderly/co-morbid patients residing within the complex and help monitor their health.

>> Ensure that all houses are covered under daily surveillance.

>> Shift the suspect to nearest Covid treatment facility v. Facilitate that all residents remain at home and shall only come out for meeting essential requirements.

>> Create awareness among the habitants on public health measures such as hand washing/ respiratory hygiene/disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, etc.

>> RWA / societies should provide volunteers to support residents for maintaining essential services.

According to the health ministry’s assessment, the maximum casualty in the national capital within three days of hospitalisation means that the fatalities are happening because of late reporting by patients.

Although experts were divided over this assessment and a large section had the view that fear of mandatory hospitalisation may affect testing — as people may start hiding their ailment/symptoms.

From last few months, several residential societies have started their effort to create small centres on their premises to provide a home-like feeling to infected residents.

The health ministry came up with fresh guidelines for gated residential societies to allow them a proper isolation centre within their premises with all medical care and attention.

The federation in Noida and Gaziabad is asking authorities of various residential areas to convert community halls into isolation centre for their residents with all medical facilities and required equipment, but the administration is not allowing them.

Alok Kumar, former president Apartment owners Association (FedAOA, Gaziabad), said: “We are handcuffed as the administration is not allowing us to do that even though several societies are ready to adopt this idea. We have already given our request letter to Gaziabad administration on June 21. In that backdrop, the government must consider the health ministry’s guidelines for isolation centres in societies.”

Another RWA body, PCAOA Gen Secretary BD Pandey also welcomed the home ministry’s guidelines and said that it will help to break a social and physiological barrier as several people are not reporting their case and living in isolation with symptoms on their own, which is more harmful.

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