How Should We Isolate Ourselves?
When Should We Isolate Ourselves?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms,
If your COVID-19 test result is positive, with or without symptoms,
If you are a COVID-19 patient who was sent home with a physician's approval for recovery time,
If you live with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms or has a positive test result, you need to isolate yourself.
How Should We Isolate Ourselves?
If you have one or more of the conditions that require you to isolate yourself, stay home first. To reduce the risk of contamination to other family members, it is imperative to limit your mobility in the home.
Spend as little time as possible in common areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Try to separate the toilet and bathroom to avoid contact with the household as much as possible if you do not have the chance to use the bathroom separately, ensure that it is regularly ventilated and cleaned. Do not share towels and other personal items you use in the bathroom with the household.
Use only disposable wipes when coughing and sneezing. Remember to wash or disinfect your hands frequently. It is also imperative that you do not share your bedroom with anyone during the personal isolation process. Besides, you should not accept visitors to the house under any circumstances and pay extra attention to order deliveries to be made from the door.
How is Hygiene Provided in the Isolation Process?
You or a member of your family may have COVID-19. In this case, you need to pay extra attention to cleanliness to reduce the infection's spread. You can choose to clean by diluting bleach during this time, which is one of the traditional cleaning methods. When cleaning, be sure to use disposable gloves. Disinfect shared bathrooms, doorknobs at least once a day using bleach.
Put cleaning wipes, medical masks, visors, and disposable paper products in a separate bag before disposal. Put this waste in a second tightly tied bag and let it sit for at least 72 hours before disposing of it with your household waste.
To minimize the possibility of the virus spreading in the air, take care to wash your clothes without waiting. Make sure your clothes and bedding with saliva on them are bathed in a high-temperature washing machine.
You can use the dishwasher to wash your dishes or choose to wash them by hand. Make sure that the room you are in is ventilated at regular intervals throughout the day. If possible, choose windows for ventilation of the whole house.
Take Care of Your Mental Health During Isolation Process
Being locked at home for a long time, being alone in a room can be frustrating. Both you and other members of your family may be adversely affected by this situation. Try to communicate with your loved ones and friends whenever you find the opportunity. Try talking on the phone, sharing on social media. If you have a house with a garden or a balcony in your room, try to take advantage of the fresh air and sun.
Do not underestimate the social benefit you gain by isolating yourself. Remember that the symptoms and course of each case are individual. Avoid reading news and comments that trigger your anxiety and concern. Take care to eat as much as possible to strengthen your immune system.
When Does the Isolation Process End?
When the isolation process ends in COVID-19 patients is directly related to how the process begins.
The isolation period was determined as 14 days for the COVID-19 patient and individuals who had close contact.
In asymptomatic and mild cases, isolation ends on the 10th day from the start of symptoms.
The isolation process of COVID-19 patients who had the recovery period at home was determined as 14 days.
Although the health authorities determine the isolation times, do not neglect to inform the relevant health institution if you have recurrent symptoms at the end of these periods.