<span style="color: black;">Union Health Ministry has issued Standard operating procedure on COVID-19 Containment and Management in Peri-urban, Rural and Tribal areas.<br />'' <br />''The Ministry said, a large number of cases of Covid 19 is reported in urban areas.<br />'' <br />''However, a gradual increase is now being seen in peri-urban, rural and tribal areas as well.<br />'' <br />''In view of this there is a need to enable communities, strengthen primary level healthcare infrastructure at all levels to intensify COVID-19 response in these areas.<br />'' <br />''Health Ministry said, nearly 80 to 85 per cent COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic and or mildly symptomatic.<br />'' <br />''These patients do not require hospitalization and may be managed at home or in Covid care isolation facilities.<br />'' <br />''The monitoring of oxygen saturation is important for monitoring of COVID patients.<br />'' <br />''For this it is desirable for each village to have adequate number of pulse oximeters and thermometers.<br />'' <br />''The Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition committee, VHSNC should mobilize resources to make provisions for these equipment.<br />'' <br />''A system of providing the pulse oximeters and thermometers to families with a confirmed case of COVID should be developed through ASHA, Anganwadi workers and village-level volunteers.<br />'' <br />''The Ministry said, home Isolation kit shall be provided, which includes required medicines such as Paracetamol 500 mg, Tablet Ivermectin, cough syrup, multivitamins besides a detailed pamphlet indicating the precautions to be taken and medication details.<br />'' <br />''The contact details should also be provided to them, in case of any major symptoms or deterioration of health condition.<br />'' <br />''Patients under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 10 days have passed from onset of symptoms and no fever for three days.<br />'' <br />''There is no need for testing after the home isolation period is over. The Ministry said, Peri-urban and rural areas may plan a minimum of 30-bedded Covid care centers.<br />'' <br />''The Centres shall offer care for asymptomatic cases with comorbidities or mild cases where home isolation is not feasible. It could admit a COVID suspect or confirmed case. </span><br />