Chances of virus spread very less, avoid using common toilets: Study

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Home isolation for COVID-19 patients in Assam can be a safe option. A study conducted by a team of researchers and doctors has found that the chances of novel coronavirus transmission from asymptomatic patients to their family members while in home quarantine is only about four per cent.

The team headed by Dr Gayatri Gogoi, Assistant Professor of Pathology department at Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh has found that it is safer for COVID-19 positive patients, both asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic, to be home quarantined. The chances of virus spread are very low from the asymptomatic patients. In only 4.06 per cent cases (5 cases during the study), there was evidence of transmission to family members. The study was conducted among 25,000 under home quarantine in Kamrup (Metropolitan) district.

The study was conducted by a team of doctors, in collaboration with Assam Police and Pratishruti Cancer and Palliative Trust in Greater Guwahati in the last two months. Till compilation of the data of the study, 123 of the 25,000 quarantined people turned COVID-19 positive. While 101 of the 123 positive cases were asymptomatic, only 22 were symptomatic.

Dr Gogoi told The Sentinel that the study was conducted in a very systematic and scientific manner. She said the study has found that the major cause of spread of virus in households is use of common toilets by all family members. Three studies have cultured SARS-CoV-2 from stool specimens.

"The Health department is now officially allowing home isolation of individuals after they test COVID-19 positive. Now we will monitor the situation differently. Since studies have found that the chances of spread of the virus is low from asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients, home isolation could be a safe option," Dr Gogoi said.

Dr Gogoi said the study conducted by her team has already been accepted by the Indian Medical Association.

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