3 years ago
Who qualifies as a suspected COVID-19 case?
Patients who meet the following criteria (inpatient definition):
● Those requiring admission to hospital AND
● Those who have either clinical or radiological evidence of pneumonia OR
● Acute respiratory distress syndrome OR
● Influenza like illness (fever 37.8°C and at least one of the following respiratory symptoms, which must be of acute onset: persistent cough [with or without sputum], hoarseness, nasal discharge or congestion, shortness of breath, sore throat, wheezing, sneezing) OR
● A loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia) in isolation or in combination with any other symptoms.
Clinicians should consider testing inpatients with new respiratory symptoms or fever without another cause or worsening of a pre-existing respiratory condition.
Patients who meet the following criteria and are well enough to remain in the community:
● New continuous cough AND/OR
● High temperature AND/OR
● Anosmia (a loss or changed sense of normal smell or taste)
Individuals with a cough, fever or anosmia who live alone should now stay at home for 7 days from the onset of symptoms. Households should all self-isolate for 14 days if one member shows symptoms.
Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of atypical presentations in patients who are immunocompromised. Alternative clinical diagnoses and epidemiological risk factors should be considered.
