COVID-19 Isolation and Treatment Guidelines

Isolation Requirements

Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 should isolate for at least 5 days from symptom onset or positive test, with isolation ending when body temperature has returned to normal for more than 3 days, respiratory symptoms have significantly improved, and respiratory nucleic acid tests are negative for two consecutive times with at least one-day sampling interval, as recommended by the Military Medical Research 1, 2
Patients with mild symptoms without pneumonia should be isolated in well-ventilated single rooms with restricted activity, according to Praxis Medical Insights 3
If a single room is not available, maintain bed distance of at least 1.1 meters from others, as suggested by Military Medical Research and Praxis Medical Insights 1, 3
Patients should monitor their body temperature and symptoms daily; seek medical attention if temperature exceeds a high fever or breathing worsens, as recommended by Military Medical Research and Praxis Medical Insights 2, 3

Patients should wear a medical mask (N95 preferred) when in the presence of others, as recommended by Military Medical Research and Praxis Medical Insights 4, 3
Patients should clean hands immediately after coughing and sneezing, according to Praxis Medical Insights 3
Restrict patient activities to minimize contact with others, as suggested by Military Medical Research and Praxis Medical Insights 2, 3

Caregivers should be healthy family members without underlying diseases when possible, according to Praxis Medical Insights 3
Caregivers should wear N95 masks (preferred strategy) or disposable surgical masks (alternative strategy) when in the same room as patients, as recommended by Military Medical Research and Praxis Medical Insights 4, 3
Caregivers should also monitor their own body temperature closely, as suggested by Military Medical Research 1, 2

For symptomatic individuals, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are recommended using nasopharyngeal, mid-turbinate, combined anterior nares plus oropharyngeal swab, saliva, or mouth gargle specimens, according to Clinical Infectious Diseases 5
Anterior nares and mid-turbinate specimens can be either self-collected or collected by a healthcare provider, as recommended by Clinical Infectious Diseases 5
A single NAAT is sufficient; routine repeat testing is not recommended for individuals whose initial test is negative, according to Clinical Infectious Diseases 5

Mild patients generally use nasal catheter or mask for oxygen therapy if needed; adjust flow as appropriate according to condition, as recommended by Military Medical Research 1, 2
Ensure adequate nutritional support and hydration, according to Praxis Medical Insights 6
Monitor vital signs regularly, as recommended by Praxis Medical Insights 6

Patients with persistent high fever should be considered for hospitalization, according to Praxis Medical Insights 3
Development of dyspnea or respiratory distress should prompt hospitalization, as recommended by Praxis Medical Insights and Praxis Medical Insights 3, 6
Signs of pneumonia development or worsening symptoms should lead to hospitalization, according to Praxis Medical Insights and Praxis Medical Insights 3, 6
Patients with comorbidities or risk factors for severe disease should be considered for hospitalization, as recommended by Praxis Medical Insights 6

Body temperature returned to normal for more than 3 days is a criterion for hospital discharge, as recommended by Military Medical Research and Military Medical Research 1, 2
Respiratory symptoms significantly improved is a criterion for hospital discharge, according to Military Medical Research and Military Medical Research 1, 2
Lung inflammation showing obvious signs of absorption on imaging is a criterion for hospital discharge, as recommended by Military Medical Research and Military Medical Research 1, 2
Respiratory nucleic acid negative for two consecutive tests with at least one-day sampling interval is a criterion for hospital discharge, according to Military Medical Research and Military Medical Research 1, 2