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Patient information sheet forself-isolation athome
25th March 2020
Patient information sheet forself-isolation athome v3.0, 24.03.2020
Theinformation in this leaflet is for those who ? arewaiting to be tested forcoronavirus (COVID-19) infection ? arewaiting for the results of testingfor COVID-19 infection ? were waiting to be tested for COVID-19 but are not in a priority group for testing ? have symptoms of COVID-19 but are not in a priority group for testing ? havebeen diagnosed with COVID-19infection andyour doctor has agreed that you can stay at home to recover.
What are the priority groups for testing? With increasing numbers of people being referred for testing,our health service must now focus on testing those at greater likelihood of having COVID-19 infection, those who will benefit most from public health management, those most at risk of severe infection and essential healthcare workers. This is to make sure we protect the most vulnerable people in our community and achieve the greatest good. Thereforepriority will be given to people with symptoms of COVID-19 in the following groups: a) Close contacts of a confirmed case b) Health care workers c) Groups most at risk of severe infection such aspersons with diabetes, immunosuppressed, chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal disease, chronic liver disease and smokers. d) Household contacts of at-risk groupsabove e) Staff or residents in a long-term care facility f) Prison staff and inmates where it may be difficult to implement self-isolation advice g) Pregnant women to ensurethey can be managed safely in hospital, minimising the risk of spread in the maternity hospital.
What is self-isolation? Self-isolation means you stay at homeand avoid contact with other people, including those at home. Even though the symptoms are mild you can still spread the virus to others. This will help to protect your friends, colleagues and the wider community and will help control the spread of the virus. The instructions below are to help you try and limit the spread of infection to others within your household as much as possible.
When can I return to normalif I fit into one of the priority groups for testingabove? You should continue to self-isolate while you wait to be tested and while you wait for your results. Then: ? If the virus for COVID-19 is detected you can stop self-isolating at home, if you have had no temperature for five daysandit’s been 14 days since you first developed any symptoms.
? If the virus for COVID-19 is not detected, it is possible that you have another infectious illness, such as flu. In order to reduce your chances of spreading another infection to your
Patient information sheetfor self-isolation at home, v3.0, 24.03.2020
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centrewww.hpsc.ie Page2of7
family andfriends, we advise you to continue to self-isolateand practise good hygiene (such as regular handwashing and covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue)until 48 hours after your symptoms have gone away. After 48 hours without symptoms, you can return to your normal activities.
When can I return to normalif I don’t fit into one of the priority groups for testing above? You can stop self-isolating at home, if you have had no temperature for five days and it’s been 14 dayssinceyou first developedany symptoms.
What should my household members doif I fit into one of the priority groups for testing above? Yourhousehold members should follow the advice provided in the ‘Advice for people who share the same home with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19’ leaflet and restrict their movements until you receive your test results.
Then: ? If the virus for COVID-19 is detectedand they stay well,they should continue to restrict their movements for 14 days after you started self-isolating. There are some situations where self-isolation may not be possible and your doctor will advise you and your household on what todoin that case.
? If the virus for COVID-19 is not detected, they can return to normal activity immediately after the test result.
What should my household members do if I do not fit into one of the priority groups for testing above? Ifthey stay well,they should continue to restrict their movements for 14 days after you started selfisolating. There are some situations where self-isolation may not be possible and your doctor will advise you and your household on what todoin that case.
Keepingyourselfsafe and wellwhile self-isolating at home ? It is very easy to become anxious and lonelywhenyou have to spend time on your ownbut remember,you can always pick up the phone and call a friend-the virus does not travel through phoneslines.For more information on minding your mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak go towww.hse.ie.
? Although you have been asked to stay at home it is importantyou keep yourselfmobile by getting up and moving around as much as possible.If you have a garden or backyard go out and get some fresh air but please keep away from other people including neighbours.Keeping a distance ofat least 1 meter but where possible2metres(or 6.5feet)from other people is recommended.
? Eat well and drink plenty of fluids to keep youhydrated.
? Try andavoid alcohol if you arefeelingunwell.
Patient information sheetfor self-isolation at home, v3.0, 24.03.2020
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centrewww.hpsc.ie Page3of7
? Do not smoke or vape–ifyou do have a virus infection it is best not to do anything that might harm yourlungs.
? Ifyou startto feelveryunwell, especially with difficulty breathingyou should callyourregular doctor.
? If it is an emergency and you need to call an ambulance,call 112 or 999 andremembertotell the ambulance servicethatyouhave been diagnosed withCOVID-19 virus.
? If youhave questionsregarding the instructions below please callyour local Public Health department.
Keeping everyone else safe and wellwhileself-isolatingat home 1. Stay at home
? Do not go to work, school, religious services or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis untilyour self-isolation period has ended.
? You may need to ask family or neighbours for help if you need groceries, other shopping or medications. 2.Keep away from other people in your home as much as you can
? You should stay away from other people in your home most of the time in a well-ventilated room with a window totheoutside that you can open.
? If you have to go into the same room with other people at home you should try to keep at least 1metre (3 ft)and where possible 2 metersawayfromthem. Youshould cleanyourhands regularly and practice good respiratory etiquette.
? If you can,you shoulduse a toilet and bathroom that no one else in the house uses.
? If you cannot have your own toilet and bathroom,the toilet and bathroom you use needs to be kept clean (see advice below). 3. Clean your hands
? Clean your hands regularly-This is one of the most important things you can do.
? Try not to touchanyone else’s face.
? Use moisturizer on your hands after washing 4. Cover your coughs and sneezes(Figure 1)
? Cover your mouth and nose with a paper tissue when you cough or sneeze
Patient information sheetfor self-isolation at home, v3.0, 24.03.2020
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centrewww.hpsc.ie Page4of7
? Place usedtissues intoa plasticwaste bag(see note below for managing rubbish), and immediately clean your hands withalcohol hand rubor wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 5. Do not shareyour things
? You should not share food, dishes, drinking glasses, cups, knives, forks and spoons, towels, bedding or other items with other people in your home when you have used them (or after your child or the person you are caring for has used them) until they havebeen washed.
? After usingthese items, wash themin a dishwasher ifone isavailable orwithwashing up liquid and hot water.If you are not well enough, someone else in the house can do this foryou.The person should use household/rubber gloves if available. The glovescanbe washed and dried after use.Washhands thoroughly with soap and water after removing the gloves
? If you usegames consoles or remote controls cleanthembefore someone else in the house uses them.
? If you cough or sneeze on a screene.g.phone, or game console, wipe the screen clean immediately. 6. Do not have visitors in your home
? Do not invite or allowunnecessaryvisitors to come into the house.
? If someone urgently needs to come to the house, keep at least1meter (3ft)and where possible 2 metersaway from them and advise them that you are not well. 7. Toileting andbathing
? If possible use a toilet that no one else is using.
? Ifthat is not possible andyoudo nothave your own toilet/bathroom, clean your hands before entering, beforeyou leave the room and after using the toilet.
? Ifyou need tohave abath or showerremember toclean any surfaces youhave touched afterwards.
? Do not share your towels with anyone else. 8. Household cleaning
? Clean all surfaces, such ascounters, table-tops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets and toilet handles, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables, every day with a cleaning product
? When cleaning you should use your usual household products, like detergents and bleach as these will be very effective at getting rid of the virus.Followthe instructions on the manufacturers label and check they can be used on the surface you are cleaning.
Patient information sheetfor self-isolation at home, v3.0, 24.03.2020
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centrewww.hpsc.ie Page5of7
? If you have them wear household/ rubber gloves when cleaning surfaces or handlingdirty laundry.If you use household/rubber gloves they can be washed and dried after use.Always wash your hands after you take off the gloves.
? If you are using re-useable cleaning cloths, these can be washed in a hot wash cycle of a washing machine afteruse.
? If the gloves and cleaning cloths are disposable place them in a plastic waste bag after using them. (See advice about managing rubbish below.) 9. Laundry
? Wash laundry at the highest temperature that the material can stand
? You can tumble dry itemsand iron using a hot setting/ steam iron if required.
? If you havehousehold/rubber glovesyou can wear themwhen handlingdirty laundry andhold the items away from your clothing.
? If you don’t have gloves wash your hands after handling dirty linen.
? Do not send laundry to a laundrette. 10. Managing rubbish
? Put all your personal waste including used tissues and all cleaning waste in a plastic rubbish bag.
? Tie the bag when it is almost full and then place it into a second bin bag and tie.
? Once thebag has been tied securely leave it somewhere safe.The bags should be left for three days before collection by your waste company.
? Other household waste can be disposed of as normal without any time delay.
What happens if there are children in the house?
? Do your best to follow this advice however we understand it may not always be possible.
? Children can get COVID-19 infection but in most cases the illness is not very severe.
? If your child does develop symptoms, they need to stayhomeuntil they havehad no temperature for five days AND it’s been 14 days since they first developed any symptoms.
Can my pets get COVID-19?
? So far we have no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs and cats can be infected withCOVID-19.
Patient information sheetfor self-isolation at home, v3.0, 24.03.2020