Out-patient management of patients with COVID-19 on home isolation

The rapidly increased number of patients with COVID-19 resulted in the shortage of hospital beds. An outpatient follow-up plan was developed for COVID-19 patients with stable clinical condition and no concomitant diseases. The records of COVID-19 first admission clinic were retrospectively reviewed to identify the COVID-19 patients who were followed on home isolation as outpatients between March 17, 2020 and April 18, 2020 in Ankara, Turkey. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, compliance with isolation rules, re-admission rates, and outcomes were investigated. A total of 41 patients with COVID-19 were followed on home isolation without hospitalization. The median age of the patients was 36 years. Twenty-four (58.5%) of 41 patients were female. Twenty-nine (70.7%) patients were healthcare workers. The most common symptoms at admission were cough, myalgia/arthralgia, and loss of smell and/or taste. Fourteen (34.1%) patients were asymptomatic on the first admission. Anti-viral treatment was given to 27 (65.8%) of 41 patients. Four of 41 patients were readmitted to the outpatient clinic and hospitalized. Three patients had worsening respiratory symptoms and pneumonia was detected in CT scans. One patient was hospitalized because of disseminated herpes zoster infection. Two patients who jeopardized the isolation rules were isolated and monitored at another hospital by provincial health directorate teams. If adequate conditions are provided, follow-up on home isolation seems to be a feasible method in carefully selected patients. However, these patients should be monitored closely by an experienced team during the isolation period.