MIRI – Keeping track of Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms who are quarantined at their longhouses is a challenge as their conditions could deteriorate if they are not vigilant with their health checks.
Sarawak Assistant Health Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee said there are cases of patients under home quarantine who ended up with severe health complications as they did not understand the need for self-checks.
“Health conditions can deteriorate very quickly if the patients are not careful. If they are unaware of the symptoms, they can suffer serious consequences.
“The most important symptom to take note of is the drop in oxygen levels as this can damage the lungs if left unattended.
“That is why pulse oximeters are a must for home quarantine patients,” he said today after distributing 3,000 units of oximeters to five longhouses in his Nangka state constituency.
He said that every longhouse resident should learn how to use it and patients are advised to check their oxygen levels twice a day.
They must update their results daily in their MySejahtera app, he added.
The home quarantine order by the state Health Department is meant for Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms – Categories 1 and 2.
Those listed as Categories 3, 4 and 5 are placed in hospitals.
However, a number of home quarantine patients ended up in serious conditions as they did not get medical attention in time when their oxygen levels dropped or were faced with other health complications. – The Vibes, November 3, 2021
