With the recent spike in covid19 cases, the numbers of people in home self-isolation continues to rise. Epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds reminded people to follow the Health Ministry's protocols for home isolation in order to avoid spreading it to others at their home.
Speaking at Wednesday's ministry media briefing, Hinds said this also applied to people who were quarantining at home while awaiting results.
'The protocols are on our website. They include remaining in one part of the house, wearing your mask in the household, and not sharing household items.
"There is an increased risk of transmission in a household where those guidelines aren't followed, but we've also seen the success of those guidelines in preventing household transmission.
"So once you're in a household and aware there is a risk, implementation of all those risk reducing factors is very important.
"Of course, you can reach out to the healthcare system through the hotline to indicate that your household circumstances may not be suitable to do the household isolation in the best possible way and discussions can be had as to how you can be assisted.'
The Health Ministry first announced that home self-isolation for mildly-ill and asymptomatic patients would be allowed on August 26, 2020. CMO Dr Roshan Parasram said those who tested positive and had symptoms would be treated for seven days in quarantine. Then, if three days passed and they showed no further symptoms they would be ordered to self-quarantine for ten days to ensure they could not transmit the disease.
He said those who tested positive but showed no symptoms would spend ten days in quarantine, and must then also self-quarantine for seven days. Those who showed no symptoms would be monitored for ten days from the day they tested positive.
Since then, people who have been tested have also been asked to quarantine at home for 21 days while awaiting their test results, whether negative or positive.
One covid19-positive person, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of stigma, said when he tested positive, he was asked about his daily routine and was then given the go-ahead to stay home.
'I live in an apartment and I asked my roommate to move out, which he did. I stayed indoors most of the time, though I was able to go into the yard to get some fresh air.
"I had gone for groceries the same day I tested positive, though the thermal scanners at the places I visited didn't register any temperature change.
"When those ran out, a friend bought groceries for me, left them outside my gate and drove off before I went to collect them. I was able to pay him back through online banking.
"I've finished quarantine now but I'm doing an extra month before my roommate comes back, to be safe.'
He said the Health Ministry called every day to make sure he was doing well, and he was offered the option of state quarantine.
Alana Morton said when she returned to TT in March 2020, she signed a quarantine order and agreed to quarantine for 14 days.
'We were responsible and adhe
