Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has announced changes in the duration of isolation for Covid-19 cases, with people who are positive but asymptomatic now only required to isolate for five days as opposed to a ten-day isolation period in the past.
This announcement was made by the executive director of health and social services, Ben Nangombe, who stated that those in quarantine should also work from home if able to.
“If a person who is in quarantine is able to deliver his or her duty while in quarantine, the quarantine period can be regarded as work from home, if the employer is satisfied. The workplace should consider granting special leave during the quarantine period if work from home is not possible. If special leave cannot be granted, the labour law rule on sick leave should apply,” Nangombe said.
The ED further shared that Namibia’s preparedness and response to Covid-19 have been and continue to be guided by evolving scientific evidence as well as the epidemiological situation in the country.
He stated that patients who deisolate after five days should wear a well-fitted mask indoors while around others for five more days after the five-day isolation period. The same applies to patients who have mild symptoms.
In situations of moderate disease, patients should isolate for ten days after a positive test for SARS-CoV-2. The health ministry noted that the ten-day isolation is applicable provided that the patient’s fever has resolved for at least three days without the use of fever-reducing medications and with an improvement of other symptoms including respiratory symptoms.
In cases of severe and critical disease, patients are allowed to isolate for 10 – 21 days after a positive test for SARS-CoV-2.
“The public is advised that patients with Covid-19 infection should not deisolate if fever persists and there is no improvement of other symptoms,” Nangombe said.
He added that as per current practice, all confirmed asymptomatic or mild Covid-l9 cases can be managed at home if home facilities allow for proper isolation.
“These individuals need to be closely monitored. This is to identify danger signs and intervene quickly. Designated non-healthcare isolation facilities identified by the MoHSS are available for mild cases as needed,” Nangombe explained.
He further said that the quarantine period for contact cases and suspected cases is reduced from seven to five days as well.
A Covid-19 test should be conducted on day five, then quarantine ends immediately following the receipt of the negative results. The date of contact is day 0.
“Any person who becomes a contact of a Covid-19 positive case and is presenting with symptoms consistent with Covid-19 is deemed a suspected case and should get tested for Covid-19, and self-quarantine at home until the test results are out,” the ED stated.
