A step-by-step guide for Vadodarians testing positive for COVID19

COVID cases in India are at the peak. Hence, precautionary measures need to be taken to stay safe. Firstly, if you have any symptoms like sore throat, fever, body ache, or diarrhea, try and get a test done.

In a state of chaos, it is important for the test-takers to understand which test to take. The RT-PCR test is considered to be the “gold standard” whereas the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is a cheaper and a quicker way to get tested. However, it is a known fact that RAT has a lower level of accuracy and can give a high number of false negatives. According to the ICMR protocol, if RAT gives a negative result and an individual has symptoms of influenza-like illness, then they should undergo an RT-PCR test.

While it might get difficult to get an RT-PCR test done promptly, a rapid test can be undertaken at any of the government hospitals for free without any prior appointment. The 36 Urban Health Centres in various areas of Vadodara also take the rapid tests from 10 AM to 4 PM. Apart from private labs, the RT-PCR test is also available at the SSG hospital. The RT-PCR test costs 800 rupees at a private lab. Whereas the rapid test result comes out immediately, the RT-PCR test results are made available within 24-48 hours.

After a positive test result, you can consult your family doctor or a doctor from any of the government hospitals to guide you for dietary supplements and medical prescriptions. If you have comorbidities, do mention them to the doctor. The doctor, as per your condition, might recommend you to get admitted or stay in a home quarantine. 

As per officials, the 14-day-period after testing positive is when the virus is the most contagious. Hence, after testing positive, isolating yourself is imperative to curb the spread of the virus to other individuals. To isolate, you can separate out utensils, clothes, and other equipment that you might come in contact with. While in home quarantine, one umbrella rule is to check oxygen twice every hour via an oximeter. A healthy person’s SpO2 level is between 95 to 100 percent, while a reading below 95 is below normal. If your reading comes below 95, you should talk to your doctor immediately. Other protocols include having medications as prescribed, maintaining the Vitamin C levels in your body by eating citrus fruits, and taking as much rest as possible. For diabetics and BP patients, it is recommended to keep a blood pressure monitor and a glucometer handy.

If you feel that the condition is deteriorating, you can always check VMC’s dashboard for the number of available beds in the city. The dashboard lists all private hospitals and gives a section-by-section bifurcation of the number of beds available with the mobile number of nodal officers concerning the respective hospitals.  

If admitted, the administrations at hospitals have made sure that relatives maintain at least some form of contact with the patients through video calls. Hence, relatives and patients need not panic before admitting a loved one at any of the facilities. The help desk at hospitals provides daily updates on the patient’s health and well-being. 

Testing positive can take a massive toll on the person’s mental and physical well-being. But once you have recovered from COVID, the body takes time to completely recover. Therefore, it is suggested that the recovered individual slowly gets back up to their feet. The chances of an immediate re-infection are bleak but possible. So, the recovered patient should continue follow-up sessions with the doctor, have green vegetables and nutritious food, and meditate to ensure a quick recovery. 

As is reiterated by several health officials, getting vaccinated is also integral to defeat the virus. If you are eligible, do go out and get vaccinated.

India recorded 2,59,170 cases today. With rising cases, lack of hospital beds, and a shortage of oxygen cylinders and Remdesivir injections, officials have strongly recommended taking all the precautionary measures to stay safe.