“When I was at home taking care of my children who were positive with COVID-19, I learned more things, especially knowledge about health care. We chose psychological comfort instead of being sad, worried in order to overcome illness quickly,” said Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, residing in Thanh Binh Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang.

Mrs Yen has two children who are in 7th grade and 2nd grade respectively. At the end of December 2021, she became confused because her youngest child was confirmed with COVID-19. However, she was completely reassured after receiving doctors and nurses’ careful guidance on home-based treatment measures.

At that time, her youngest child was isolated on the 3rd floor and she also lived on the same floor to take care of her child, whilst the rest of the family lives on the 1st and 2nd floors.
Her whole family strictly adhered to 5K regulations, drank enough water, ate adequate nutrients, sleep enough in tandem with always keeping an optimistic spirit and exercise regularly to overcome this never met situation together.

Then her older child also became a case of COVID-19. Her warm house usually filled with chatters was replaced by silence at that time since all family members only conversed if necessary via masks to avoid spreading viruses. Every corner of their house was covered by the smell of disinfecting alcohol because all personal items such as clothes, dishes, cups were washed, cleaned separately, then disinfected thoroughly.

According to Mrs Yen, she was frantic in the first days but everything gradually stabilized. Moreover, her family bond is also stronger thanks to many games, stories they played, read together during the days at home. She also said that it is necessary for the whole family to be comfortable, especially the adults. Because, as long as they feel bewildered, worry excessively or for a long time, they will no longer have the strength to take care of themselves.

When treating COVID-19 patients at home, the most important thing is that family members must strictly follow the doctor's instructions from taking care of personal hygiene to disinfecting utensils and objects. Especially, we should always listen to the body and recognize any signs of change to ask the doctor and follow the instructions promptly.

Mrs Le Thi Ha (the character's name has changed), residing in Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, had memorable days with her child who was also positive with COVID-19. She always advised her child to be most thorough in sterilization, heat clamping, and personal hygiene. Apart from that, all personal belongings, even trash cans, kettles, gloves, dishes were also different from each family member.

She carefully prepared basic medicines for fever, digestion, stomach, diarrhoea, sore throat, saline, nasal spray, vitamin C in case of demands. She also taught her children to practice keeping a daily diary of symptoms and parameters of temperature, pulse, breathing rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen to update via text message and software for medical staff to have solutions to handle in time when an emergency situation occurs.

Treatment of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients at home is being viewed as an appropriate treatment model in the new normal state when COVID-19 vaccine coverage is at a high level. This model both reduces pressure on the medical system and creates convenience for patients. The Da Nang Department of Health has recently issued a manual to guide temporary isolation, care and treatment of people with COVID-19 at home or accommodation. The Department of Information and Communications also built an application named "Home-based isolation and treatment guidance".

Moreover, the grassroots health level and mobile medical stations play a very important role in proactively connecting, ensuring that COVID-19 patients are carefully cared for, without missing any steps in treatment support for the model to be effective.

In addition, the most important thing is that patients and their family members must strictly follow the principles of isolation and treatment, in tandem with keeping a calm mind.

Reporting by THANH TINH – Translating by T. VY