New Delhi, Jun 12 (IANS): The Delhi government has updated its COVID-19 discharge policy, according to which, mild or very mild or pre-symptomatic patients will be discharged within 10 days of showing symptoms and when they show no fever for three continuous days.

While discharging such patients, a second test won't be done, says the Delhi government in its new policy which was updated late Thursday. However, after leaving the Covid care facility, they will have to self isolate themselves for seven days. During that time, if they develop symptoms again, the government has advised them to contact the facility. During their discharge, the patient's oxygen level will be checked which if dips below 95 per cent, he or she will be referred to a dedicated Covid health care.

As for moderate cases, if the fever vanishes in three days and maintains a saturation above 95 per cent for next four days without oxygen support, such patients will be discharged after 10 days of onset of symptoms. They too will have to self isolate at home for another seven days. However, those patients whose fever does not resolve within three days and demand of oxygen therapy continues, will be discharged only after symptoms subside and the oxygen saturation is maintained for three days at a length.

In the severe cases like those who also have HIV or have undergone transplants; their discharge will be based solely on clinical recovery, and the patient is tested negative once after their symptoms have vanished.

These fresh guidelines are expected to ease the pressure on Covid care facilities.