From Oct 25, less stringent recovery protocol for young children, pregnant women with Covid-19: MOH

SINGAPORE — Children between the ages of three and 12 months, as well as pregnant women, who are infected with Covid-19 may now self-isolate at home for three days before resuming their normal activities, as opposed to be subjected to the more stringent home recovery programme or being placed in a care facility.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Saturday (Oct 15) said that it was relaxing the rules for such patients after monitoring the Covid-19 trend from Omicron subvariants here and finding that the risk of severe Covid-19 disease in these two groups is low. 

These two groups of patients will now be managed under Protocol 2, instead of Protocol 1, it said. 

Under Protocol 2, those who are well and test positive, should self-isolate at home for the next 72 hours.

After 72 hours, they can re-test and if negative, they may exit isolation and resume normal activities. If they become unwell at any time, they should see a doctor.

Under Protocol 1, those who are unwell and test positive, should see a doctor.

Thereafter, they will either be placed on a home recovery programme, or if the home environment is not suitable, at an appropriate care facilities.

Such patients will then have to isolate for 10 days if they are fully vaccinated or are aged 12 or younger. 

If they are unvaccinated, they must isolate for 14 days. They will be discharged after their respective isolation periods without the need for further tests at the point of discharge.

Despite the change in healthcare protocols for young children and pregnant women, which takes effect from Oct 25, MOH said patients should continue to monitor themselves closely for signs and symptoms of concern, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or persistent fevers that are above 38°C.

“If signs and symptoms worsen, they should seek medical attention,” it said.

EMPLOYERS SHOULD NOT REQUIRE MCS FOR COVID-19

Separately, MOH urged employers to not require their employees to submit a medical certificate if they self-tested positive for Covid-19, or have acute respiratory infection symptoms.

Instead, those who are well should be allowed to work from home if they are able to.

The ministry said this will prevent patients with mild or no symptoms from making unnecessary visits to general practitioner clinics, which would “compromise the standard of care for other patients who require medical attention”.

MOH added that those experiencing mild flu-like symptoms should arrange a teleconsultation with a doctor instead.