Guidelines for Home Treatment of Mild Cases of COVID-19: Ministry of Health

During the home treatment of mild cases of COVID-19, health care workers from the primary health care sector (polyclinics) conduct a risk assessment and provide consultation to the patient regarding the prevention of virus transmission and precautionary measures. This information was reported by the Ministry of Health.

As per the doctor’s instructions, temperature checks are conducted for the patient and caregiver twice a day. The doctor assesses the health status of the patient and caregiver through phone calls or visits. If necessary, the doctor refers them for diagnostic tests (X-rays, testing).

To prevent virus transmission, it is essential to limit the patient’s movement at home, minimize the use of common areas, or isolate them in a well-ventilated room. A distance of at least 1-2 meters should be maintained from the patient. The number of caregivers should also be limited, and visitors should not be allowed.

Care for the patient should be conducted using personal protective equipment. The patient and the caregiver in the same room should be provided with medical masks. The mask should be replaced immediately if it becomes damp, or at least every 3 hours. Disposable gloves must also be worn. Masks and gloves should only be used once.

Gloves, masks, and other waste generated during home care should be kept in a closed trash can in the patient's room before being disposed of as waste. After any contact with the patient or their environment, before and after preparing food, before eating, and after using the restroom, hands should be washed with soap. If hands are not visibly dirty, they can be sanitized with an alcohol-based disinfectant. After washing, it is preferable to dry hands with a disposable towel.

Under no circumstances should the patient's utensils (toothbrush, cigarettes, dishes, food, drinks, towels, cloths, or linens) be used by others. The surfaces surrounding the patient, bathroom, and toilet should be frequently cleaned and disinfected using household soap or laundry powder, and after rinsing, a common household disinfectant containing 0.1% sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) should be applied.

Soiled laundry from the patient should be placed in a closed container. Clothes, linens, bath, and hand towels should be washed with laundry soap or in a washing machine using regular household laundry powder at temperatures of 60-90 °C and then dried thoroughly. When cleaning surfaces and handling soiled clothes or linens, gloves and protective clothing should be worn. After use, household gloves should be washed with soap and disinfected with a 0.1% chlorine solution.