To reduce stress on those who are Covid-positive and have to self-isolate, healthcare centre Jasper Lodge has introduced an initiative called COVID@Home.
“Government systems are overwhelmed and it may take time for people who are positive to be contacted,” Jasper Healthcare medical director Dr Lim Geng Yan tells FMT.
“Since we have the knowledge and resources, we started this programme to help those in need.”
COVID@Home monitors those who have tested positive under categories 1 and 2 and are self-isolating. “We walk them through the whole process to ease any worries or concerns they may have,” Lim says.
Category 1 cases are those that do not have any symptoms, while those in category 2 have mild indicators such as loss of smell and taste.
“Category 2 is difficult to differentiate from Category 3, which is when patients have pneumonia and require observation,” Lim explains.
“It is therefore important for patients to monitor their oxygen levels and breathing rate.”
He says a normal breathing rate at rest is about 14 to 16 breaths per minute. Monitoring becomes necessary for those who experience more than 20 breaths per minute at rest, as fast breathing is a symptom that appears just before oxygen levels drop.
For RM40 a day, patients are not only provided with tele-consultation sessions with a doctor, they will also have daily check-ins with the medical team.
Over the 14 days in isolation, Jasper Lodge offers a selection of services such as delivery of meals, supplements and medical equipment, a swab test on day 14, and transportation to the Covid assessment centre.
Jasper Lodge also has ambulances on standby in case of emergencies.
According to Lim, most of the calls received by the care centre are from those seeking reassurance. “A big part of what we do is educate and spread awareness,” he says.
To get in touch with its team of professionals, Jasper Lodge has set up a Google Form on its website with a list of services and prices. “Just fill in the form and someone from the team will contact you,” Lim adds.
COVID@Home is currently available for those in the Klang Valley, Penang and Kuantan.
If you happen to test positive or know someone who has, find out more about the programme via the Jasper Lodge website.