Ministry Eases Requirements For Discharged Covid-19 Patients

Source: Vientiane Times

Health authorities have lifted restrictions on Covid-19 patients following discharge from hospital, allowing them to resume their lives without further testing or isolation.

The move is part of changes being made by the health sector towards a “new normal” way of life, and follows a decline in the number of new Covid cases being reported around the country.

However, patients who have health concerns following their discharge from hospital can get advice from a medical professional or through the telehealth hotline.

The Department of Health Care and Rehabilitation, under the Ministry of Health, on January 17 informed hospital administrators in Vientiane and the provinces that Covid-19 patients can now be discharged from hospital without further testing for the virus being necessary.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control, under the Ministry of Health, Dr Sisavath Southanilaxay, told Vientiane Times that the ministry had changed its stance after reviewing the situation and coming to the conclusion that members of the public were able to act responsibly to ensure their own safety and that of others.

Covid patients who are discharged from hospital can now resume their normal social activities and work duties without the need for self-isolation.

The ministry has also advised people with asymptomatic infections or minor cases of Covid-19 to remain at home to ease the burden on hospitals, so that medical staff are able to devote more time to those with more serious infections.

“At present, more than 11,000 people in Vientiane who have been diagnosed with Covid have chosen to care for themselves at home,” a health official said.

Asymptomatic Covid patients can be discharged from hospital 10 days after a positive test result without the need for further testing.

All Covid patients will now be assessed according to their symptoms rather than test results.

Patients with mild symptoms can leave medical facilities after 13 days provided they do not have a fever or any respiratory issues.

The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on Tuesday reported 733 new cases of Covid across the country, while three more people have died after contracting the virus.

The new cases were identified among 4,597 tests that were conducted in the previous 24 hours.

The taskforce said 730 new cases were transmitted locally, while three other cases were identified as being imported.