Now, it emerges, there seem to be around 10000 people doing their Covid-19 recovery "at home" (and infecting their family members, etc.).
Khmer times about "at home patients". Most at home patients seem to be double vaccinated people.
Making some calculations:
- Assume a recovery between 5 and 10 days.
- 10000 / 7 = 2000, 10000/20 = 500
- So, something between 500 and 2000 do "recover" every day.
Which implies something between 500 and 2000 people do get Covid-19 infected, every day.
The Cambodian miracle might find its root in the definition of a Covid-19 patient: Only those admitted to a hospital do count.
Covid-19 did not get away, but is just ignored.
I don't like to quote from elsewhere, though given the explosive nature of the article, it might be taken down, as such:
More than 10,000 people with mild symptoms of the Covid-19 are undergoing treatment in the comfort of their homes in Phnom Penh.
But, health experts are worried that they may transmit the virus to others in their houses, and the numbers may just rapidly escalate, causing another big concern. If the symptoms are mild, they recover fast, otherwise, the victims may need hospitalisation.
Health Ministry spokesman Hok Kim Cheng yesterday said after the holiday’s people with Covid-19 increased but they only had mild symptoms, so they were told to remain home and get treated.
“Home treatment is risky if the victim does not comply with our advice and stay isolated. The victim can transmit the virus to others in the house and neighbours. That is why they must listen to the health authority’s advice and guidelines,” he added.
He said they are aware that these victims are spreading the virus to family members due to their carelessness and non-adherence to guidelines.
“The health workers are keeping track of these victims but they too must be responsible,” said Kim Cheng, adding if the others get infected and their symptoms are mild, then they too will be treated at home, unless otherwise advised..
He said many of those with mild symptoms are those who are double vaccinated.
Phnom Penh deputy governor Keut Chhe told Khmer Times yesterday that he is aware of more than 10,000 being treated at home and many transmitting the virus to others or to neighbours.
“All these people are only having mild symptoms as even those who contracted the disease is also suffering from mild symptoms as the majority are already double vaccinated and had their booster shots. Almost all recover within four days to a week,” he added.
He said they are taking proactive measures to cut the transmission of cases by educating the victims and getting them isolated in their houses.
World Health Organization representative to Cambodia Dr Li Ailan told Khmer Times yesterday that caring for an infected person in the house, rather than in a medical facility, increases the risk of transmitting the virus to others in the home.
However, she said patients recover faster in the home environment due to support from family members while it is better for those with severe cases to be treated in a hospital.
She added those undergoing home treatment should among other things stay isolated in a room, have good ventilation, wear facemasks especially not in the room, visitors not allowed, caregivers should not have underlying health conditions, if possible, have their own utensils, soaps, towels and bedsheets.
Both the victims and caregivers, Dr Ailan said must wash their hands frequently and strictly abide by the 3 dos and 3 don’ts including proper disposal of all used items.
Long Mandavy, a mother of seven children aged two to 15 years said she got infected first and subsequently her husband who went to Siem Reap.
“When both of us got infected, eventually all my seven children contracted the disease. All of us were under home treatment. Thankfully, all us recovered within a week,” she said, adding that it was a blessing all of them were together during their ailment.
Kheng Thearoth who visited Siem Reap returned home with Covid-19 and unfortunately transmitted the virus to her mother and brother.
“Since all of us were fully vaccinated and had only mild symptoms, we were treated at home. It is difficult not to spread the virus when we have share the bathoroom,” she added.
Thearoth said they were all happy to be at home, be treated and recover fully.