Health adapts its protocols to high transmission: priority for severe cases and the vulnerable population

This adaptation responds to the need to prioritize healthcare, at this time of such high transmission of the coronavirus, so that it differentiates between care for people with severe illness due to COVID-19 of those with mild symptoms.

This will allow redirect actions to the most necessary aspects to control transmission, focusing on the protection of the most vulnerable.

In said document, approved by the Public Health Commission of the Ministry of Health, it is established that if necessary, the performance of Active Infection Diagnostic Tests will be prioritized to confirm suspected cases with severe symptoms, those of people with greater vulnerability and those who belong to vulnerable environments.

Likewise, the strategy establishes a prioritization of cases in which active monitoring will be carried out in vulnerable settings (nursing homes, centers for the disabled, health centers), in those over 70 years of age, immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women, among others. .

In any case, at the time of diagnosis, isolation instructions, completion date and way of contact with the health system in case of deterioration will be indicated, the Ministry details in a note.

The strategy also defines the isolation period, which must be 7 days for confirmed asymptomatic cases or with mild symptoms, if at the end of this period the person is asymptomatic and at least three days have elapsed after the resolution of the symptoms. symptoms, including asymptomatic or mild cases that occur in centers for the elderly and other social and health centers.

For those with severe disease or immunosuppression, the minimum isolation period of 21 days is maintained.

After the 7-day isolation period and up to 10 days after the onset of symptoms or the date of diagnosis in asymptomatic cases, positive people should exercise extreme caution and reduce social interactions as much as possible by using the mask constantly. Especially contact with vulnerable people should be avoided.

Close contacts

The strategy also contemplates a variation in the handling of close contacts who will not be identified by the SCS, except in those areas where the exposure is considered high risk due to the presence of people with greater vulnerability.

Close contacts vaccinated with the full schedule will be exempt from quarantine although they must continue with protective measures and reduce social interactions.

Close contacts not vaccinated, or who are found to be on an incomplete vaccination schedule, should quarantine for 7 days from the last day of contact with the positive and monitor, during that period, the appearance of symptoms.

In the following 10 days after the last contact, they must take extreme measures of protection - use of a mask, limitation of the number of social contacts.

In close contacts, vaccinated or not, priority will be given to performing the Active Infection diagnostic test on vulnerable people and their caregivers, as well as health and social health personnel (in these cases, a single test will be performed 3-5 days after last contact).

Collaboration

The strategy specifies that the population with a positive test is required to collaborate by advising their close contacts so that they follow health recommendations and take extreme precautions, reducing social interactions as much as possible for 10 days and using the mask constantly.

Especially, contact with vulnerable people should be avoided.

Communication of positive and negative cases

The results of the diagnostic tests for active infection will be communicated via SMS, with the instructions to follow.

Those affected will receive very understandable information, as a guide, both with the indications to follow for positive cases with mild symptoms and for those who have tested negative but are in close contact or are with symptoms.

Health also informs that people who require sick leave due to COVID-19 can call the line 900 112 061. Among the information that this service collects for the assessment of each case is included if the person needs sick leave, in order to streamline the administrative procedure through your health center.