After a Shocking Day 1, we were in for more surprise the following day. Being close contacts with our boy, chances of us contracting the virus is pretty high. Under Health Risk Warning (HRW), we need to do our Antigen Rapid Test (ART)
1) Regular Antigen Rapid Test
I had my PCR taken the night before and took my ART first thing in the morning. The result I dreaded to see - The second red mark started to appear after a couple of minutes from the first. This means I have a very high chance of being infected by the virus.
I uploaded my ART result (under HRW link) and like my boy, isolated myself from the rest of the family members. My girl also did the same as precaution.
My worst fear was later confirmed with an SMS from MOH that my daughter's and my PCR results being Positive. What this means is we have to wait for new sets of instructions from MOH and our Isolation Order (IO) to be issued - via SMS
This left hubby the only one in the family not contracting the virus (yet)! Honestly, at this juncture we were not sure what to do. Should Hubby move out of the house - but where to as he is a direct close contact with 3 family members who have covid? Unfortunately, directions from MOH is slow and unclear. While waiting, we have to make plans and decisions.
2) Rooming Plans for isolation
We quickly made plans on how we can isolate ourselves from Hubby. After considering his health status and needs, I moved out of the master bedroom to room with my girl in her bedroom. I think having the children isolating themselves in their own room would be the most comfortable alternative as it is their space and they have quick assess to their school materials/laptop conveniently.
3) What to pack for isolation
Even though we are within the comfort of our home and things are still within reach, to avoid too much movement in the house, it is good to have some items in mind to pack for isolation.
Essentials & Entertainment
1) Medicine (Standby)
2) Clothing & Toiletries
3) Bedding needs / Blanket
4) Digital Devices/Gadgets & Chargers
5) Water Bottle
6) Hand Sanitizer, Disinfection Spray, Wet Wipes, Tissue Box
Fever, bodyaches, flu, cough, sore throat and lost of sense of smell and taste are very common symptoms for Covid patients. Hence, having medicine with you is good in case the symptoms start to develop (especially in the night) and we have no means to reach the doctors quickly.
Prepared 2-3 sets of clothing, some toiletries and moved to the common toilet so that the Master Bedroom and attached toilet is left intact for Hubby.
Everyone has their own water bottle to ensure we keep ourselves hydrated with plenty of fluid.
Our mobile device is the most important item to have besides us all the time for updates and picking phone calls. It is also my source of entertainment for the next 10 days.
Being isolated in our bedrooms does not mean that we don't keep the space clean. Spray our door handles and area outside of room. Floor and table top surface is wiped daily and windows are open for ventilation.
4) Food Arrangements
While we have some food at home to last us for a couple of days, clearly it is not enough. Most importantly, I cannot prepare meals for the family as we try to minimise our presence outside the bedroom and remain in isolation as much as possible to avoid spreading the virus to my husband.
Ordering from Grab Food/Food Panda is the next most convenient alternative. We are also thankful to have friends, colleagues and relatives who have been sending us food or easy-ready meals to keep us going.
5) Upkeep Hygiene + Sanitising
Extra efforts were made to upkeep the cleanliness of the space.
- Wearing our masks whenever we are out of the bedrooms
- Open windows to ventilate every room in the house
- Frequent washing of hands
- Sanitising common touch surface
- No sharing of food/drinks (Food are place on a designated area outside our bedroom to be collected.)
- Separate cutlery and washing
*Individual water bottle and cutlery set
*separate sponge to wash our cutlery, sanitize our cutlery with boiling hot water
- Separate laundry washing (You may want to wear gloves when handling your laundry)
*soaked clothing into hot water, add dettol. Sun our clothing
- Double bag rubbish properly and dispose.
6) Monitoring of Health & Well-being
We do frequent temperature and oximeter reading checks daily and take note of our health status while still waiting for a telemedicine provider to call. I was asymptomatic but started to feel unwell on the same day I was tested positive for Covid. The only thing I could do then was to self-medicate with the medications that I have standby at home, keep myself hydrated with plenty of fluid, eat healthy food and take plenty of rest.
Telemedicine Provider
Throughout the period that I was unwell and recuperating, I made phone calls to various parties to try to get help and advise. As there seem to be changes to how each agency's task is being assigned, I could not get very clear direction and information.
If you start to feel unwell, and MOH has not assign a telemedicine provider, you may go to go.gov.sg/telemedicineproviders and call any listed on the list to seek doctor consultation. Do make an enquiry prior to booking to check if consultation is free. Do also note that booking might be full and you may have to wait for an appointment for a doctor to videocall you.
Take special note that the Telemedicine provider that you initiate the call to will NOT be able to perform the PCR test. Only the designated provider by MOH may be allowed to arrange a personnel to your home for the swab test. As of Day 6, my girl and myself were not assigned to any telemedicine provider.
In addition, it is not compulsory to do a PCR on Day 6 as indicated on the SMS. According to MOH guidelines, Covid positive patients are automatically discharge from Isolation Order after 10 days and does not require any PCR exit test.
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