Bengaluru: The State Government has taken a decision to allow travellers testing positive for Coronavirus on arrival at airports in the State to be admitted to private hospitals. However, the cost would be borne by the travellers. As per existing policy, they were being admitted in a government facility for treatment.
A circular from State Health Commissioner on Friday December 10 stated that passengers arriving from countries classified as being ‘at-risk countries’ following the discovery of the Omicron variant of the Covid – 19 virus, and testing positive at the airport “can also opt for isolation, treatment and Covid management facilities at notified private health care facilities. The admission to private facilities “would be with the condition that the prescribed cost shall be entirely borne” by the passengers, the circular added.
Also in a circular issued by State Government on Friday, the persons admitted in hospitals after testing positive for the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, who fall under a mild and moderate cases category can be discharged after 10 days of “symptom onset” if two RT – PCR reports taken “24 hours apart” show up a Covid-19 negative report. After discharge, such patients will have to be home quarantined for seven days with state officials monitoring their condition on a regular basis. However, in the case of patients classified in a severe cases category, the discharge will be carried out only after complete clinical recovery including three consecutive days without fever and other symptoms, oxygen saturation above 95 percent for four consecutive days and other clinical testing parameters. The RT- PCR tests will be done 24 hours apart when patients have had no symptoms for three days.
