UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS HEALTH SERVICE

PROTOCOL FOR ISOLATION, QUARANTINE & COVID-19 TESTING

1. ALL THOSE WHO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS MUST STRICTLY GO ON MANDATORY HOME
ISOLATION FOR 7 DAYS (FOR FULLY VACCINATED) AND 10 DAYS (FOR PARTIALLY OR UNVACCINATED)
FROM THE ONSET OF SYMPTOM/S.

a. Fever g. Muscle & Joint Pains + Fever

b. Cough h. Diarrhea + Fever
c. Colds i. Rash + Fever
d. Throat Pain j. Loss of Taste
e. Difficulty of Breathing k. Loss of Smell
f. Shortness of breath

1.1. If the patient still has symptoms on DAY 2-3 upon monitoring, RT-PCR or RAT test from DOH
accredited institution must be done.

Clearance may be given for fully vaccinated individual after 5 days of isolation provided the
result of RT-PCR or RAT test is NEGATIVE with complete resolution of symptoms for 24 hours
or with Medical certificate from their attending physician.

1.2. If there is worsening or progression of symptoms, patient may be advised to go to the

emergency room for evaluation and assessment.

2. ALL PARTIALLY & UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HISTORY OF CLOSE CONTACT TO A
CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19 MUST STRICTLY GO ON MANDATORY HOME QUARANTINE FOR 14
DAYS FROM THE DATE OF CLOSE CONTACT EVEN IF ASYMPTOMATIC.

2.1. Once they developed symptoms during the 14-day quarantine period, RT-PCR test or RAT
test from accredited institution must be done as soon as possible.

2.2. RT-PCR test may be done 5 days after the date of last significant exposure for asymptomatic
close contact.

2.3. Length of quarantine or isolation will depend upon the result of the RT-PCR test.

2.4. Fully vaccinated1 individuals who have history of close contact to a confirmed COVID-19
case will not need to go on quarantine if they are asymptomatic with the following
 exceptions: exposure to the same household (house, dorm, apartment/condominium unit),
and/or with history of dining together with the index patient

2.4.1. All fully vaccinated asymptomatic close contacts should continue

symptom monitoring for 14 days, strictly observe minimum public health standards
which includes wearing well-fitted masks, physical distancing, regular handwashing, etc.

2.4.2. Immediate isolation and RT-PCR or RAT testing from accredited DOH
institution must be done once patient develop symptoms.

3. All CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 WILL HAVE TO UNDERGO THE REQUIRED DAYS OF MANDATORY
ISOLATION UNTIL THEY ARE ASYMPTOMATIC FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS.

3.1. All asymptomatic confirmed COVID-19 individual and patients with MILD symptoms who
are FULLY VACCINATED may undergo a shortened 7-day isolation period.

* Partially or Unvaccinated patients may have to complete the isolation period of 10 days.

3.2. Patients with MODERATE symptoms will be cleared once they completed the 10-day
isolation period regardless of vaccination status.

3.3. Patients with SEVERE AND CRITICAL COVID-19 cases will need to complete isolation for 21
days from the onset of symptoms regardless of vaccination status.

1.1. IMMUNOCOMPROMISED2 PATIENTS who developed COVID-19 will need to isolate for 21
days from the onset of symptoms with negative repeat RT-PCR results regardless of
vaccination status.

1.2. A referral to infectious disease specialist for clearance for patients with persistent symptoms
or complicated cases is needed prior to work/school resumption onsite.

* RT-PCR remains the gold standard to confirm COVID-19 infection.

* A positive rapid antigen test (RAT) result done within the 5 days after the onset of
symptoms will be considered as a confirmed COVID-19 case.

2. ALL PARTIALLY AND UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUAL WHO HAVE HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
MUST GO ON MANDATORY HOME QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF ARRIVAL.

2.1. Fully vaccinated1 individuals will not need to go on quarantine if asymptomatic but have
to do symptom monitoring for 7 days.

2.2. Immediate isolation and RT-PCR or RAT testing from an accredited DOH institution must be
done once patient develop symptoms.

2.3. Length of quarantine or isolation will depend upon the result of the RT-PCR test.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Case Definition
1
An individual shall be considered as having been fully vaccinated for COVID-19: ( Based on IATF Resolution
No. 124-B Series of 2021 July 02, 2021)

i. More than or equal to 2 weeks after having received the second dose in a 2-dose series, or
ii. More than or equal to 2 weeks after having received a single dose
iii. The vaccines administered to the individual are included in any of the following:
1. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List of Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by
the Philippine Food and Drug Administration; or
2. Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization
2
Patients with autoimmune disease, HIV, Cancer/Malignancy, transplant patients, Undergoing Steroid
treatment

* The final assessment for the end of quarantine/isolation period will be made by the Health Service
physician upon monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the patient has clinically recovered.

*The Quarantine Protocol measures are reflected on the COVID-19 tracker action plans of the Health
Service ThOMedSS.