What to do if someone at home has Covid-19? - National Masks

As cases continue to rise across the country and new variants emerge, more and more people have a family member or friend who begins to develop symptoms of Covid-19. According to the Peruvian Ministry of Health, the third week of January (from January 17 to 22) an average of 49,205 positive cases for COVID-19 were registered, being one of the highest peaks of contagion since the start of the pandemic.

In this context, many people continue to wonder what should be done if a family member in the home begins to show symptoms or tests positive in their PCR test. According to Cleveland Clinic's director of Clinical Transformation, James Merlino, "Right now, we're seeing a lot of cases of household transmission, where someone who's sick infects other people they live with."

According to the study Transmission of SARS-COV-2 Infections in Households, supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confirmed that it is common for the coronavirus to spread between people in a home soon after a person begins to feel sick. However, these infections can be prevented and avoided.

Take precautions at home

Experts agree that if a person has symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, they should isolate themselves as soon as possible. This means that she should stay in a separate room and preferably use a separate bathroom as well. However, if the space is closed, it is necessary to create as much air circulation as possible in the home, opening the windows if it is hot enough outside.

“If you have to be very close to the sick person, everyone can use massacrilla; keeping people away for as long as possible,” says Dr. Merlino. However, if you cannot avoid contact with the person who is going through this process, it is recommended that you also stay home; this will ensure that you do not spread this virus to others outside the home.

Care and protection of a patient with Covid-19

Caring for a family member or housemate who presents symptoms and at the same time protecting yourself requires some care and caution. Experts recommend:

To Dr. Merlino: “Covid-19 often enters through the back door: it spreads when someone loses precautions or when a family member is not careful.”