The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 16th May 2021 has issued guidlines on COVID-19 Containment and Management in Peri-urban and Rural areas in order to ensure that community-based services and primary level health infrastructure in these areas are equipped and oriented to manage the cases.
In every village, active surveillance should be done for influenza-like illness/ severe acute respiratory infections(ILI/SARI) periodically by ASHA with help of Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC).
Those asymptomatic but having history of high-risk exposure to COVID patients (exposure of more than 15 mins without a mask within 6 feet distance) should be advised quarantine and tested as per ICMR protocol.
It is desirable for each village to have adequate number of pulse oximeters and thermometers. A system of providing the pulse oximeters and thermometers on loan to families with a confirmed case of COVID should be developed through ASHA/ Anganwadi workers and village-level volunteers.
The COVID Care 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. CCC should have separate areas for suspected and confirmed cases with preferably separate entry and exit for each.
Risk Communication materials available on infection prevention and COVID appropriate behaviour will be displayed at strategic locations in the village and in the CCC.
