Omicron variant does spread quickly and this has a potential to put pressure on the health system. With the identification of this variant in Rwanda and the upsurge of case, a new
guideline has been developed and underscores the need to tighten preventive measures
by strongly encouraging people to be fully vaccinated, wear mask and get tested before
attending any allowed gathering.
The number of days to self-isolate for vaccinated people with COVID 19 has changed
to a minimum of 7 days. Vaccinated people will end self-isolation after a minimum of 7
days if results from rapid or PCR are negative.
People tested positive after recovering from COVID 19 (with a recovery certificate) are
not requested to isolate
If you have COVID 19 symptoms or have received a positive COVID 19 result
If you develop symptoms of COVID 19 get tested immediately, stay at home and selfisolate
immediately.
If you have positive test result but do not have symptoms, stay at home as soon as you
receive positive result.
If you leave home to seek medical care or testing site: wear a mask, keep 2 meters
distance.
Your isolation days include the day you tested positive.
Self-Isolation for fully vaccinated people can be ended following a negative result taken
on Day 7 (You should not take a control test before 7 days).
Control test is mandatory for everyone to end the isolation.
People who test positive and undertake 10 days of isolation but remain positive on
PCR with CT values above 37, negative rapid diagnostic test and without any COVID19
symptoms will be be given a recovery certificate through RBC portal, however:
Recovery certificate will not give exemptions for required COVID19 testing
Recovery certificate will be valid for 90 days, however will be invalid incase of new
infection confirmed by positive rapid test or PCR with low CT values
Close contacts with symptoms, whether vaccinated or not yet vaccinated should be immediately tested
Close contacts without symptoms can be tested at Day 3.
Tips for people with positive result
Stay separate from other people and pets in your house.
Do not share personal household items.
Monitor your symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath.
To reduce further transmission:
Wash hands frequently and cover coughs and sneezes.
Regularly clean touched surfaces.
Ventilate indoor area by opening the window
The common flu medications can be used to relieve some mild symptoms such as
acetaminophen/paracetamol, vitamin C, medications for relief of throat discomfort
(i.e. strepsils losanges etc.), anti-decongestant (i.e. paidoterin syrup etc.) and cough
mixtures (i.e. syrups of bronchalene, ascoril etc.).
Be sure to follow directions of your Doctor and Pharmacist.
Oral antibiotics might be prescribed by the medical team that is taking care of you,
especially if fever is not resolving or if any concern that you might develop “pneumonia”.
Antiviral drugs will be prescribed as needed by the healthcare provider at the clinic
where you got tested (especially if you have symptoms), based on your health status
parameters at baseline or during the follow-up time.
It is very important to eat a well-balanced meal (with plenty fruits and vegetables) and
drink sufficient amount of water (for an adult person: 2 – 3 liters of water every day).
For the main course meals, please avoid cold drinks/food, or those that are hard to
digest. Consider light and nutritious meals such as hot soups with meat proteins or
with a mixture of fresh vegetables from your garden or local market.
Food and drinks rich in vitamin C would be a great selection, such as lemon tea or fresh
juice, with a tinge of the spicy tangawizi for those who would prefer and are used to
take it.
Avoid too much spice as it can cause stomach pain. You can also mix tea or hot milk
with honey depending on your preferences. Although these hot beverages cannot directly kill the virus, but we note that the overall gain is to relieve symptoms as you
remain well hydrated and boost your immune system.
While you don’t need to be in bed all times, you should get plenty of rest.
Avoid overworking yourself. The consumption of alcohol and tobacco use are strictly
prohibited, as they might worsen your disease and aggravate the severity.
A moderate amount of stretching exercise and ambulation within the delimitated and
permitted area at home would be sufficient; a daily 30 min workout at least every day
is good to keep you energized.
It is very important to have at hand the telephone numbers of your local community
healthcare worker (umujyanama w’ubuzima, CHW), Isibo and Cell leaders, as they are
an integral part of COVID 19 response in Rwanda.
It is very encouraged that you exchange news related to your illness on daily basis,
and they might also be able to answer to all queries that you might have. Feel free to
limit the number of follow-up phone calls you want to receive on daily basis.
The COVID 19 care in Rwanda is now decentralized from the National level to the
community level, and MoH/RBC are working closely with these structures that are
close to your home to ensure you remain safe and recover from COVID 19 as quick as
possible.
You can also reach out to the National COVID 19 Rapid Response Team on
0784007124 or 0789198119 (all days), the COVID 19 Hotline 114 (all days)
It is very important to report any unusual sign or symptom that might occur during
your illness such as continuous fever, shortness of breath, worsening cough, chest
pain or any serious discomfort that you may experience. If any alarming sign develops
during the course of your illness, please call any of our COVID 19 hotlines and our field
team composed of clinicians will reach out to you for an advanced assistance.
We acknowledge that there are a lot of rumors related to COVID 19 disease that
circulate freely on the internet, and we caution you against implementing any new
measure that has not been advised and prescribed by our COVID 19 clinical team.
Please consult regularly our RBC website (www.rbc.gov.rw) and Twitter handle (@
RBCRwanda), as we will be posting new health tips and news regularly as science
evolves. Our priority is to keep you safe.
(@RBCRwanda), as we will be posting new health tips and news regularly as science
evolves. Our priority is to keep you safe.
Since some people might still test positive on PCR after 10 days of isolation; MoH/RBC is
availing a COVID-19 recovery certificate for individuals previously positive for COVID
19, who are now without symptoms, and at the end of 10 days of isolation, for whom the
RT-PCR COVID 19 test continues to be positive.
However, everyone using this certificate for travel purpose should take the necessary
time to consult with the Airlines, countries of transit and countries of destination if this
certificate would allow the travel to happen smoothly even if the RT-PCR test obtained
before traveling was still positive for COVID 19.
Travelers should also check if while in that specific country additional measures such
as restricted movements or access to touristic areas, additional COVID 19 tests or
quarantine time might be imposed.
Testing should only take place from accredited facilities.
We request health care providers to give test results before clients leave the testing
facility/site.
We request health care providers to give information related to isolation and prescribe
medication after testing at site.