Table 5.

Definitions of patients that can be received during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to the emergency operating room

Type of case	Definition	Remarks
Laboratory-confirmed case	A person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection, irrespective of clinical signs/symptoms	Categorized as A/B/C:such patients have to remain in home isolation for 14 days from the last negative result or 28 days from the date of admission to hospital, whichever is later
Suspect case	A patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease [e.g., cough, shortness of breath, or diarrhea) AND a history of travel to or residence in a country/area or territory reporting local transmission] [as per WHO updated list] of COVID-19 disease during 14 days prior to symptom onset) or A patient/health-care worker with acute respiratory illness AND having been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 case in the last 14 days prior to onset of symptoms or A patient with severe acute respiratory illness (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND requiring hospitalization AND with no other etiology that fully explains the presentation or A case for whom testing for COVID-19 is inconclusive	All suspect cases are categorized into Category A/B/C
High-risk contacts	Contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19	All asymptomatic secondary contacts with high risk are instructed to remain under strict home isolation for a period of 28 days. No testing is required
	Travelers who visited a hospital where COVID-19 cases are being treated
	Travel to a province where COVID-19 local transmission is being reported as per WHO
	Touched body fluids of patients (respiratory tract secretions, blood, vomitus, saliva, urine, or feces)	All symptomatic secondary contacts with high risk should be instructed to remain under strict home isolation for a period of 28 days, if their sample is negative
	Had direct physical contact with the body of the patient including physical examination without PPE
	Touched or cleaned the linens, clothes, or dishes of the patient
	Close contact within 3 feet (1 m) of the confirmed case
	Co-passengers of an airplane/vehicle seated in the same row, 3 rows in front and behind of a COVID-19 case
Low-risk contacts	Shared the same space (same classroom/same room for work or similar activity and not having high-risk exposure the confirmed/suspected case)	All asymptomatic secondary contacts with low risk should beinstructed to avoid nonessential travel and community/social contact for 14 days. No testing is required
	Travel in the same environment (bus/train) but not having high-risk exposure as cited above
	Any traveler from abroad not satisfying high-risk criteria
		All symptomatic secondary contacts with low risk should be instructed to remain under strict home isolation for a period of 14 days, if their sample is negative

COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019, PPE: Personal protective equipment