Practical Tips on How to Take Care of a COVID-19 Patient at Home

The first step towards taking care of someone with COVID-19 is to isolate them in a separate room. Medical experts advise that only one healthy person should provide care to a COVID-19 patient at home. It is also not advisable to share personal items such as toothbrushes, towels, bed linen, utensils, and devices with an infected member. Experts also recommend that household members use a separate bathroom from the ill person.

While there is a COVID-19 patient at home, household members need to wear personal protective equipment to keep themself away from the virus—especially the caregiver. When attending to the patient, it is advisable to wear disposable medical gloves, a medical mask, and eye protection for safety. Other members in the house should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

After using medical masks, gloves, and other contaminated items, dispose of them in a separate container. In terms of contaminated laundry, secure them in a separate plastic liner and wash them with regular laundry soap and hot water. Medical experts also advise household members to disinfect high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, television remotes, toilets, and laundry containers frequently.

When you live under the same roof as an ill person, it is important to isolate yourself to avoid spreading the virus to the community. You can quarantine yourself at home for 14 days from your last exposure and contact your barangay. Meanwhile, keep your immune system healthy and take steps to avoid infection.

Make sure you have the following in stock: medical masks, face shield or goggles, disposable surgical gloves, disposable paper towels, tissues, waste container, over-the-counter medication, hand soap and dish soap, alcohol-based sanitizer, and regular household cleaning products and disinfectants. In addition to these, having a thermometer and access to running water is also necessary.

While symptoms are mild, it is better for the patient to stay at home, isolate themselves from other household members, and take note of these basic health protocols while recovering. If the illness gets worse, the next step is to promptly seek medical attention from the nearest health care facility.

Need more information on COVID-19 or vaccination updates on senior citizens in nursing home facilities? Visit Yoorekka.