The ongoing global pandemic COVID-19 started in December 2019. The whole world is trying to defend itself from this horrible disease. This disease transmits rapidly through the direct contact of an individual who has the infection or an object of contamination. Therefore, proper measures like- wearing masks and keeping a safe distance should be maintained to avoid being infected. However, if someone is contaminated then that person should self-quarantine in a quarantine room, or in case of severity admitted to a hospital. Quarantine rooms are important for defense against the current pandemic. Since there is a provision of a 14-days quarantine rule for travelers and the infected, henceforth in the neo-normal era, the concept of quarantine room is a statutory one. Let us find out how to create a quarantine room.
Etymology of the word “Quarantine”
The word “Quarantine” meaning “Forty” is a derivative from the Latin Quadraginta. The introduction of the first practice of quarantine was in the 14th century. During that period, all ships isolated themselves for forty days to avoid spreading or contamination by the Black Death plague. After that, quarantine was also under imposition during the flu pandemic, diphtheria outbreak, smallpox outbreak, and presently in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quarantine vs Isolation
Quarantine and Isolation are both public health practices that enable people who do not have any infection and separates from contagious disease. These uninfected people are separated from the ones who are infected or may have a chance of being infected with the disease.
Isolation keeps people separated from the ones who are already contaminated with a contagious disease from the uninfected ones.
Quarantine, on the other hand, separates and restricts the people who have a possibility of getting infected by a contagious disease by being exposed to it.
The purpose of both of these practices is to prevent the disease from contagion.
Setting up a Home Quarantine Room
The designated quarantine room in a home should be in separation from the rest of the member’s rooms. If possible the room should have a joint bathroom. If not, then the quarantined person should use a mask while using the restroom. The quarantine room should have adequate arrangements for ventilation or non-circulating air. Keep it clean and sanitize as much as possible. Monitor the patients to check up on their health.
Managing a Home Quarantine Room
Presently, the situation with COVID-19 is getting so out of hand in some countries that everyone should prepare themselves to create a quarantine room at home. This room is for the patient to sleep and eat. Therefore, the places that have more possibilities for infection clean them. For example- clean the sink, doorknobs, toilet handle, faucet head regularly. Disinfectant wipes or sanitizing sprays are a great way to do that. Also, find out the top germiest spots in your house and clean them regularly.
After spraying or wiping the products with sanitizer do not wipe them dry. A quarantine room is necessary to protect your home from coronavirus.
Leave the food to the patient at the door. Separate the utensils that the person in quarantine uses. It is better if the utensils for usage in the quarantine room are disposable. However, just cleaning them after would work too. Arrange enough ventilation for the room.
While handling the clothes of the infected person take extra precautions. Know how to wash them with proper precautions. Wash them with detergent containing bleach. The World Health Organization recommends 60°-90°C to wash and disinfect the clothes. However, read the care labels to avoid damaging the items. The person handling the clothes should wear gloves while doing laundry and wash their hands properly after taking them off. Nevertheless, if gloves are unavailable, wash the hands right after and avoid touching the facial area. To know more about home quarantine, read the blog.
Managing a Quarantine Room in a Health Care Center
The sites for the patients to be in quarantine should be a place where it’s easy to prevent public access. Allocate the quarantine room in isolation. It should only include the people who need this facility. The quarantine rooms must have proper ventilation. Rooms with air-conditioners are not suitable as quarantine room. Because it is quite impossible to clean them appropriately. WHO highly recommended single occupancy rooms. Proper electricity supply and fresh sustenance are important for a quarantine room. Henceforth, clean the bathrooms properly and regularly. Maintain laundry, sanitation, and waste disposal services strictly.
Setting up a quarantine room and maintaining it could sometimes be a little difficult in both a home or a hospital. However, make proper arrangements to successfully fulfill this purpose. Henceforth, we are adapting ourselves to live alongside corona: in a context of neo-normal life.
