COVID-19 patients to self-isolate if caseload continues to rise: Minister
shahennews
Certain groups of COVID-19 patients will be required to self-isolate if the daily caseload continues its current upward trajectory, according to a plan currently in the making by the coronavirus crisis cell.
This was announced Monday by State Minister for Media Affairs Amjad Adaileh after a meeting chaired by the prime minister at the National Center for Security and Crisis Management to assess the latest developments in the fight against the pandemic.
Adaileh said the plan will be announced soon and will be governed by clear criteria, noting that the introduction of the plan will remain contingent on the increase in infections.
However, the minister explained that proposed self-isolation of positive cases will not be for all groups, and it will exclude the elderly, those with medical history or need medical attention, in addition to those who have no access to “self-isolation means” in their homes.
Adaileh said the prime minister had ordered government stakeholders to finalize the setting up of health standards that will allow for the reopening of closed sectors, including mosques and churches, in addition to the resumption of dine-in services at restaurants and cafes. The minister said these criteria will be announced in the next few days.
With regard to the resumption of in-school education, Adaileh said an evaluation of the epidemiological situation will be carried out this week and a decision will be taken afterwards.
The minister, who is also the government’s spokesperson, said fixed epidemiological investigation stations will be established across the governorates and will offer PCR testing to symptomatic cases, contacts of confirmed infections and suspected cases.
He explained that these stations will complement mobile teams which will continue to trace contacts and conducts tests as usual.
Furthermore, Adaileh announced that calls centers will be established to inform tested persons of the results of their tests, either positive or negative.
Medical teams will also be formed and will be tasked with following on self-isolating patients, check on their health and provide any medical assistance should they need it, the minister added.
According to Adaileh, the self-isolation plan includes the development of an application to trace rule-breakers, who might receive a punishment of a 3-year prison term or a fine of JD3,000 or both penalties as enshrined in Defense Order No. 8 of 2020.
