Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng has urged authorities in the capital’s 14 districts, relevant officials and authorities to encourage Covid-19 patients to be treated at home as it will take pressure off already overcrowded health facilities.

The municipal administration held a virtual meeting on July 20 to discuss Covid-19 health measures and management, especially home treatment.

Sreng said home treatment is a good option as it reduces overcrowding at Covid-19 treatment centres.

“What authorities in the 14 districts, relevant officials and authorities will encourage is treatment at home,” he said.

Each district will establish a treatment centre for mild cases, assist people with minor problems and offer home treatment as an option. A head of an operational district health office must be present at the centre for advice. If a problem arises, the head can immediately help without posing a health risk.

He also warned that anybody who received permission for home treatment but broke the law or regulations such as leaving the house and transmitted the disease to others would face the law without exception.

Ngy Mean Heng, director of the municipal Department of Health, said at the meeting that people who tested positive for Covid-19 and volunteered for home treatment had to undergo the treatment for 13 days.

“Within 13 days, doctors have to take more tests. Whether they test positive or negative for Covid-19, they have to continue to quarantine for 14 days without going out,” he said.

Boeung Keng Kang district governor Thim Sam An told The Post that to make it easier for Covid-19 patients being treated at home, the district administration had established two centres for mild cases to monitor patients and provide counselling.

“Certain people want to go to hospital. So, we take them by ambulance to treatment facilities. For those with mild cases and receive home treatment, we visit them and we communicate by using a Telegram chat group to monitor them,” he said.

He said Boeung Keng Kang district had more than 150 Covid-19 patients who are currently being treated at home.

In Meanchey district, deputy governor Dy Roth Khemrun said that the district had already taken a step further by establishing two centres for mild cases in Chak Angre Krom commune.

“The district administration also set up a medical team and commune officials who check, consult, treat and care for patients who volunteer for home treatment. Authorities visit and monitor their health every day,” he said.

As of July 21, the district has 256 Covid-19 patients who are receiving home treatment, he said.

He said: “If they ask for home treatment, it doesn’t mean we always allow it. The district administration and a medical team will inspect the patient’s home. The team evaluates their situation and they are made to sign a contract for home treatment.

“But if the patient’s condition is severe, the team does not allow home treatment,” he continued.

Roth Khemrun said authorities cordon off an area where a person is receiving home treatment. This is to alert people to be careful.