Experience and Challenges in Establishing Quarantine Facility for Suspected COVID-19 Cases: Field Briefing

Due to the unprecedented SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, in late January 2020, many countries in the world imposed a travel ban. Governments across the world initiated repatriation operations for stranded nationals. It was important to instantly develop quarantine facilities for evacuees. As the disease was fairly new, data on it was sparse to fulfil the requirement. Objectives: We are sharing our experience of establishing and managing India’s first quarantine facility for repatriate nationals focusing on key parameters including infection prevention and control, environmental cleaning, and bio-medical waste management along with basic living requirements. Results: The facility housed a total of 617 evacuees from China and Italy. Among them, 17 were found to be positive on initial testing and one tested positive on the 14th day of testing. 25 contacts were traced and prescribed an additional quarantine period of fourteen days in the facility, and were discharged accordingly. All evacuees were put on community surveillance. Supply of logistics, manpower management, and ensuring compliance to protocols were some of the major challenges faced, for which appropriate actions were taken. Conclusion: Impeccable collaboration and coordination among different stakeholders is the most essential ingredient for the successful operation of any quarantine facility in the context of the current pandemic.