A new protocol keeping asymptomatic COVID-19 patients at their respective homes will come into effect today (17).
According to the State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, this decision has been taken after considering the repeated requests made by medical experts in order to ease the pressure on the country’s healthcare system as it will ensure that the hospital beds are only provided to symptomatic patients.
According to the experts, at least 80 percent of coronavirus patients may be asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms.
“We hope to keep asymptomatic COVID-19 patients at their homes and direct them to hospitals if they develop severe complications.
A team of doctors will be assigned to monitor the condition of home quarantined patients,” the State Minister said.
Several studies have reported coronavirus infection in patients who do not show symptoms and in patients not yet symptomatic. Some studies have shown that asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 patients have the same contagiousness, exposing a far greater portion of the population to the virus and increasing the risk of late diagnosis as well as mortality. Another study claimed that asymptomatic COVID-19 infection can result in silent lung damage. According to the researchers, adhering to guidelines is the key to combat the virus.
