Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) said that Covid-19 patients in home-based care can now undergo a 10-day isolation period, after which the control Covid-19 test can be made.

The slashing of self-isolation period which was previously 14 days was communicated in the new clinical Covid-19 management guidelines released on September 9.

Recent scholarly reports form World Health Organization (WHO) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that the transmissibility of the virus after 10 days, counting from the onset of symptoms, is very low as the patient would be shedding non-replicating viral particles.

Many countries around the globe have embraced the 10-day isolation period guidelines.

As to all essential health services, RBC said that they should continually be provided to all patients, especially for those in need of emergency services.

"Every patient presenting to the emergency room, regardless of their Covid-19 status must be evaluated and stabilized by a healthcare provider before transfer to any other given next level of care as needed,” entailed the guidelines.

Adding that in health facilities, patients who have Covid-19 symptoms or their close contacts should be placed in a separated seated area (maintaining at least 1m distance) from the rest.

Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Director General, RBC said there is a need to establish a special facility for the sole purpose of Covid-19.

"The pressing need for the set-up of ‘Covid-19 Clinics’ is an area that needs everyone’s collaboration and great attention, this will enable us to keep our system smoothly running to deliver other essential services in parallel with the Covid-19 care.”

RBC also reminds all vaccinated individuals to respect all the preventive measures for Covid-19.

"We strive to be the first country to eradicate Covid-19 disease on the African continent, and we aim for a continued and timely sharing of positive experience towards that common goal,” said RBC officials