Coronavirus: NCOC shortens isolation period to five days

By
Amina Amir
|
January 24, 2022

NCOC issues home isolation guidelines for those who test positive for COVID-19, show symptoms or were exposed to infected person

People sitting outside a COVID-19 PCR testing facility. Photo: Geo.tv/ file

The Nat­ional Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has officially curtailed the quarantine period for COVID-19 patients — which previouslywas at least 10 days— to five days.

The NCOC's decision comes nearly a month after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shortened therecommended isolation period to five days.

Meanwhile, despite a large number of people getting infected with COVID-19 owing to a serious and widespread Omicron driven outbreak in the country,not everyone can be admitted to healthcare facilities or else it would weigh down the health system of the country.

Limiting interaction with infected persons completely is also "impossible" as per NCOC, which is why it has issued separate guidelines for those who have tested positive, healthcare providers and caretakers of the infected persons, in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 as much is possible.

The guidelines focus on the convenience of people even if they have to quarantine or isolate themselves at home.

What else should people infected with COVID-19 do?

People who have tested positive or are sick with any of these symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in chest, bluish lips or face) should:

You can view the document for NCOC guidelines here:

What should the caretakers of infected persons do?

Guidelines for people exposed to COVID-19

If people, who were exposed to COVID-19 or have come in contact with someone infected, are unvaccinated or out from the recommended period for their second dose or not yet boosted, they should:

If people exposed to COVID-19 cannot afford to stay in quarantine, they should:

People exposed to COVID-19 has received a booster shot, they don't need to quarantine but they should:

However, best practice for all those exposed would be to get tested for SARS-CoV-2 at day 5 after exposure.

NCOC advises people to strictly adhere to mask-wearing even after they discontinue isolation, regardless of their vaccination status.



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