Novel Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan- fbg-2

Management of Probable Cases in conjunction with the Infectious Disease Unit 5
Hospitalize under isolation or in cohort with other COVID-19 cases
• Baseline bloods (FBC and Chemistry) should be drawn
• CXR to determine presence of uni- or bilateral infiltrates
Sampling and Testing 6
Send samples for laboratory investigation and exclusion of known causes of atypical pneumonia
• Viral nasopharyngeal swabs/aspirates (Universal Viral Transport Media, red capped swab)
• Blood for serology
• Collect two samples:
Acute – within the first week of illness
Convalescent – 2-3 weeks later
• Urine for serology
• Postmortem examination as appropriate
This should be coordinated through Surveillance unit and the PMH laboratory. Immediately refer
samples to the Laboratory refrigerated and transported with ice packs (4°C). If testing will occur
within 5 days, the sample can be stored at 4°C. If storage time prior to testing is >5 days, the sample
should be frozen and stored at -70°C.
Contact tracing 7
Contact tracing is essential in identifying and managing case contacts to prevent transmission to
additional individuals. This form of active surveillance is an integral component in preventing the
spread of COVID-19. Contact tracing is required for all persons having had contact with a suspect,
probable or confirmed case of COVID-19. Contact tracing will be undertaken by the Surveillance Unit
in the Ministry of Health following WHO Guidelines (see annex). Contact tracing is broken down into
three elements:
1. Contact Identification
A case contact is defined as any person having had contact with a COVID-19 case during the 14 days
preceding the onset of symptoms in at least one of the following ways categorized in the contact
identification list below:
• All persons who lived with the case (alive/dead) in the same households since onset of illness.
• All persons who visited the patient (alive/dead) either at home or in the health facility since
onset of illness.
• A baby who has been breastfed by a case.
• All places and persons visited by the patient since onset of illness e.g. traditional healer,
church, relatives, etc. All these places and persons should be visited and contacts identified.
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Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection when Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection is
suspected: Interim Guidance
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Laboratory testing for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV) in suspected human cases
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Home care for patients with novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection presenting with mild symptoms and management
of contacts
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