Home care is allowed for mild patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday, April 13.

But Dr. Rontgene Solante of the DOH vaccine experts panel noted that COVID-19 patients should still be closely monitored by healthcare workers and the barangay in case they need additional medical assistance.

“Itong mga mild ay sa bahay na lang but with close guidance and monitoring na rin sa mga doctors (These mild cases should stay home but with close guidance and monitoring by doctors),” Solante said in a televised press briefing, adding that hospital beds that were supposed to be for mild cases will instead be given to severe and critical cases.

Following the surge of infections, hospitals and other medical facilities especially in Metro Manila have been taking in more patients, resulting to overcrowded emergency rooms.

“It’s mainly driven because full na ‘yung mga hospitals natin and pina-prioritize natin sa mga hospital ngayon ‘yung talagang kailangan i-closely monitor at saka ‘yung talagang nangangailangan ng hospital care kagaya ng moderate more or less severe and critical cases (It’s mainly driven because our hospitals are full and what we prioritize in hospitals right now are those that really need to be closely monitored and those that really need hospital care such as moderate more or less severe and critical cases),” Solante said.

The health official noted that COVID-19 patients in home isolation should have coordination with the local officials so they can be closely monitored.

“Meron din tayong mga hotlines sa mga teleconsult na available sa Department of Health, tapos meron din sa mga private na mga homecare na teleconsult (We also have teleconsult hotlines available at the Department of Health, then we also have private home care tele-consult),” he said.

“Isa ito sa mga paraan lang para at least matutukan kung sino man yung kinakailangang i-closely monitor (This is one of the ways to at least focus on who needs to be closely monitored),” he added.

Solante advised that COVID-19 patients under home quarantine should be isolated from other members of the household, and urged them to regularly check their breathing, body temperature, and oxygen level.

Meanwhile, those taking care of their relatives must also observe minimum health protocols, as well as coordinate with the barangay for the conduct of COVID-19 tests on other members of the household.