TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused dismay among members of the public as those who feel they are showing minor symptoms are starting to check themselves to local hospitals to reassure they have not contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19).

One of them is Luna (24), who checked herself at the RSPI Sulianti Saroso on Sunday, March 15. According to her, she checked herself to the hospital that was appointed to handle COVID-19 cases without showing any early symptoms. She said that it was her initiative to do so after she once was exposed to people under monitoring (ODP) at another COVID-19-appointed hospital, Persahabatan Hospital.

She recalled that as she arrived at the hospital, she was asked to fill in a form with questions related to symptoms and physical contact with positive COVID-19 cases. Hospital personnel then followed-up by checking her body temperature and confirmed her travel history for the last 14-days.

“I did not show any symptoms, not even physical contact with positive COVID-19 patients and had not traveled overseas for the last 14-days. So no, I was not further medically-tested,” said Luna to Tempo on Monday, March 17.

Luna was only advised to consume vitamins and maintain her physical condition and was then sent back home.

Meanwhile, a friend of Luna’s who had come into contact with a positive patient showed early symptoms such as mild flu was declared as a person under monitoring and underwent blood tests to determine her leukocyte levels. Hospitals would also assign a patient to undergo a lung x-ray if a patient experiences difficulties in breathing.

“Luckily, my friend’s blood leukocyte levels were normal and she was only declared as an ODP and asked to commit to self-isolation for 14-days since the last contact with a positive COVID-19 patient. She was also urged to contact local health agencies if further symptoms arise,” Luna explained.

As for the cost of a blood check at the RSPI Sulianti Saroso, the hospital charges around Rp200,000, which already includes administrational fees and medical treatment. Other hospitals appointed to handle COVID-19 cases are RSUP Persahabatan, RSUP Fatmawati, RSPAD Gatot Soebroto, RSUD Cengkareng, RSUD Pasar Minggu, RS Umum Bhayangkara Tk. 1 R. Said Sukanto, and RSAL Mintoharjo.

DEWI NURITA