Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Exploring the prospects of provision of home-Based care

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak in the Wuhan city of China has been declared as a public health emergency of international concern and as a pandemic, and it is a marker that the caseload of the disease is increasing at a rapid pace. It has been recommended that the suspect cases need to be isolated and monitored in healthcare establishments, keeping in mind the quality of care and security of the general population. However, in special circumstances such as lack of isolation wards or lack of infrastructure/human resources to provide healthcare or even in situations, wherein the existing hospitals refuse admission of suspects due to their own limitations, it becomes quite essential to think about home-based management. However, such a decision should be taken only after thorough clinical evaluation, after thorough assessment of the safety of the home environment, and after healthcare personnel is assigned the responsibility to act as a bridge between hospital and home care till the patient completely recovers. In conclusion, provision of home-based care for asymptomatic contacts or potential suspect with mild symptoms is a crucial domain in settings with limited healthcare infrastructure. However, considering the magnitude of the cases and lack of preparedness, it becomes very much essential to strengthen home-based care. © Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth 2022.