SRINAGAR: The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Monday said that the Chinese model has to be applied in Kashmir to defeat the deadly novel coronavirus disease. Dr Naik said that keeping in view the strength of the local health system, it was imperative that “we must follow the Chinese model of containing Covid-19.” “The Chinese model was applied by Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University for the novel coronavirus Management and Research Team,” he said. Naik said the Chinese model suggested that quarantine and isolation could be done at home with proper guidance, and only sick patients should be sent to hospitals.

“By adopting the Chinese model, it is quite possible that around 85% of Covid-19 positive cases can be managed at home under surveillance of frontline health workers. This strategy will save our health structure from overburden and prevent a crisis,” he said. He said that China has also released home care guidelines and recommended that those with mild symptoms should stay in a well-ventilated, single-occupancy room at home and household articles should be cleaned and disinfected with a chlorine-containing solution (500 mg/L) frequently every day. “Visits from relatives and friends should be limited and the caregiver should be a healthy family member who does not have any underlying diseases. The patient’s activity should be restricted,” he said. The guidelines strongly suggest that if all public health measures are implemented at home by educating family and under the surveillance of frontline health workers, majority of patients can be isolated, quarantined and managed at home only, Dr Naik said. Dr Naik said that even the Paediatric department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) recommends home quarantine and isolation for contacts and Covid-19 patients, respectively.

KR Desk