SINGAPORE – Home recovery is now the default care management model for people infected with Covid-19 who have mild or no symptoms.
While those on the Home Recovery Programme (HRP) must isolate themselves in a room and refrain from interacting with anyone, there is a higher risk of other people living in the same home becoming infected with the virus. Hence, there is a need to take more thorough precautions.
Experts share tips on how people can maintain hygiene and cleanliness during HRP.
Ventilating the room
Covid-19 patients should avoid switching on the air-conditioner and open the windows to keep the isolation room well ventilated.
Dr Tan Teck Jack, chief executive of the Northeast Medical Group clinic chain, says switching on the air-con with the windows closed may result in viral particles escaping from under the door, potentially spreading the virus.
Instead, it is better to switch on the fan and point it away from the room door towards the windows.
If patients switch on the air-con in the room, they should get an air-con specialist to wash it after the isolation period, says a cleaning expert. “This is because the Covid-19 virus is airborne and particles may be trapped in the coil,” says Mr Bryan Wong, a cleaning specialist at cleaning firm Hiremop.
Serving food and washing utensils
The patient’s family members should wear masks and ensure meals are left just outside the patient’s room door, says Dr Tan. They should move away before the patient opens the door to ensure safe distancing and to minimise contact with the patient.
Use dedicated utensils and cutlery set aside for the patient if disposable ones are unavailable, he adds.
After the meal, patients should wash the utensils and cutlery themselves before placing them outside the room, says Mr Johnson Zhuo, founder and managing director of cleaning company Dream Sparkle.
However, if the utensils cannot be washed in the room, the family member tasked with collecting the finished meal should wear gloves before carrying out the task.
[ad_2]
Originally Appeared Here