The government is preparing to keep asymptomatic COVID-19 patients at home as the total number of cases approaches 2,000.
The Health Ministry a month back had devised a plan about treatment of infected persons considering the total number of cases. That plan stated that all of the first 2,000 cases will be hospitalized and asymptomatic persons kept at their respective homes once the total crosses 2,000.
Deputy Spokesperson at the ministry Dr Samir Adhikari confirmed that infected persons from now onward will be hospitalized only after showing symptoms. "We have already prepared guidelines about treatment if the number of infection rises. The infected persons will be handled accordingly," he added.
The government will now keep the infected persons who don't show symptoms like respiratory problems, fever, chest pain, loss of taste and smell, and nausea at home isolation, even as the isolation wards in hospitals are running short.
A few infected persons were quarantined in schools even earlier when there was shortage of isolation beds in Birgunj. They were later shifted to isolation wards at private hospitals.
The number of cases is rising by over 150 a day in the past week creating problems in management. The total has crossed 1,800 with 226 testing positive on Monday. A similar rise Tuesday would see the total cross 2,000.
The government will keep asymptomatic persons in home isolation until the total touches 5,000. The government plans to keep even those with mild symptoms in home isolation once the number crosses 5,000.
