Do's and don'ts of self-quarantine

Persons living with or giving care to patients infected by Coronavirus are at the highest risk of contracting the disease, as the virus spreads from human-to-human via contact.

Aside from the immediate relatives or people closest to infected patients, those who are at risk of contracting the disease include the following:

• People who have recently travelled to a country where the spread of the disease is high and there has been community spread.
• Healthcare professionals including doctors and nurses, along with other workers of a healthcare facility where one has come in contact with an infected person.
• People caring for or living with a patient who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 or has symptoms of the illness.
• People who came into contact with anyone infected with COVID-19 or someone who presented symptoms of the illness, either while sitting in close proximity to someone on a plane, in a restaurant or other similar situations.
• People who have been on a cruise which had infected persons on board.

The United States Department for Health and Human Services defines both isolation and quarantine as two vital factors in public health to prevent, stop or control the spread of a disease. The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by a novel strain of Coronavirus which doesn’t have a cure yet, with scientists and researchers rapidly working towards developing a vaccine against the infection.

Isolation is a term specifically used in the case of ill patients who have contracted a communicable disease and must be separated from the rest of the healthy community. Hospitals are usually equipped with isolation wards to treat patients presenting such symptoms of highly communicable diseases, and their movements are restricted.

In the case of quarantine, persons who are healthy otherwise but may have come in contact with infected people are separated from the community as they can be potential carriers of the disease. In such cases, they are observed for a period of time to see if they develop symptoms of the illness.

Self-isolating refers to the practice of isolating yourself because you think you may have contracted the infection while self-quarantine refers to quarantining yourself from the public as a precautionary measure to ensure you don't get the infection.

Those who have already tested positive for COVID-19 or are showing symptoms are advised to isolate themselves from healthy persons around them, including family members, besides the following precautions:

• Stay indoors: Isolate yourself from people and pets you share your home with, ideally by taking up a separate room and separate bathroom. If getting out is required, choose to step out during non-peak hours to steer clear of other people contracting the infection. Avoid public spaces including schools, offices, social gatherings or using public transport. (Read more: What is cabin fever)
• Avoid social gatherings: Public meetings of any kind, either in office or other social situations are to be avoided completely, to not risk anyone else from getting infected.
• Keep a safe distance from others: A six-feet distance has been mandated by WHO in order to prevent the infection from spreading from an infected person to those not exposed to it.
• Maintain hand hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
• Use disinfectants: Use cleaning agents on surfaces that you come in constant touch with, including tables and chairs, bathroom taps, kitchen counters, door handles, computers and phones.
• Do not share personal belongings: The bed you sleep on, eating utensils and glasses, towels in the kitchen as well as the bathroom must be used by you alone. 
• Wear a mask: Wear a mask when stepping out or going to a public place, and whether or not you have any of the symptoms, cover your cough with your elbow, and wash your hands afterwards. (Read more: How useful are masks against COVID-19 and how to use them)
• Follow your symptoms: With public hospitals also advising those with symptoms to stay away to minimise risk of infecting others, it is important to check your own body temperature and follow other symptoms like cough, sneezing and shortness of breath.
• Call a hospital in advance: If you think your symptoms aren’t going away and you need to see a doctor, it is a good practice to call first, book an appointment and then visit the clinic.

With a majority of the countries reporting a sharp rise in cases over the past month, India’s figures have also steadily increased to 649 positive cases and 13 deaths as a result of the infection. To counter this, the Indian government announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, shutting off inter-state borders and limiting public movement, with strong advice to stay indoors. Many of the measures remain the same as self-isolation. Here are some others one can take to self-quarantine during this time:

• Monitor your health closely: Those with any signs of a cough, cold, fever or have difficulty breathing must follow their symptoms on a daily basis, and check their body temperature twice every day.
• Stay indoors: Do not venture out of the house as it puts you at risk of contracting the infection. If you have to step outside, maintain 6 feet distance from everyone. 
• Maintain your own hygiene: Wash your hands regularly and use a hand sanitizer (with 60% or more alcohol) when you can't wash your hands. Avoid touching your face. 
• Opt for contactless deliver: Try to get your medicines, groceries and other essentials delivered to you instead of going out to fetch them yourself. Pay online if possible so you can ask the delivery person to leave your bag at the door.