Precautions after Covid patient is discharged from hospital?

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Just been told hospital are sending DM home tomorrow. DM requires a lot of personal care are there any extra precautions care staff and we have to take? I can't find any info anywhere

Do you mean your home? Carers will be wearing PPE as standard. If you are providing direct care, disposable aprons, gloves and mask may confer some protection to you. I would ensure good ventilation as much as reasonably possible.

She isn't supposed to be discharged if still believed to be infectious to others.

I'm assuming your mum has had the required amount of negative tests before discharge.

You can't always get a negative. People can test positive for up to 90 days but not considered an infection risk. We are told 14 days from first positive swab if enough to treat on a green pathway. Can you check with the hospital. I second mask wearing though and carers will have PPE.

Sorry 14 days from first positive is enough to treat on a green pathway so open bay.

We simply don't know re negative tests etc. She tested positive on 25/12/20 and is being discharged tomorrow 15/01/21. So masks and gloves it is as we are the carers.

Given when she tested positive she is well clear of the infectious period and I wouldnt worry. I'd just use gloves.

My mum tested positive on 25/12 too and is still very unwell - though hasn’t needed to be hospitalised yet (dad another story). GP said this morning that still to assume that she was infectious as she is not improving.

So if you get a definitive answer would love to hear it!

We (NHS) are told you should not be infectious from 14 days after your first positive test as long as you no longer have a temperature even if the test is still positive. You would be moved to a green ward as seemed not infectious to others.

I would say no extra precautions required.

Discharged delayed until sometime next week. Watch this space.

Sorry to bump this - we have heard today (from Kings College) that we should treat DM as contagious for 10 days after discharge (even though positive test was 28-12 and symptoms started on 25-12). Apparently new guidance over the last few days.