TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto was determined to remove terms related to the novel coronavirus infection or COVID-19, namely people under monitoring (ODP), patients under monitoring (ODP), and asymptomatic people (OTG).

This new regulation is noted in the Health Minister’s Decree No. HK.01.07/MENKES/413/2020 on the guidance of COVID-19 prevention and control, which is inked on Monday, July 13.

Epidemiologists have for a long time suggested the removal of such terms. From now on, the terms are replaced with suspected cases, probable cases, confirmed cases, and close contact.

The following is the definition of the new terms:

1. Suspected cases are individuals who have the following criteria:

a. Individuals who have ISPA (an acute respiratory infection) and have a travel history to a region that reports local virus transmission 14 days before developing COVID-19 symptoms.

b. Individuals who have one or several symptoms of ISPA and have contact with confirmed or probable cases 14 days before developing COVID-19 symptoms.

c. Individuals who have severe ISPA or pneumonia and need treatment at a hospital and have no other causes based on medical records.

2. Probable cases are suspected cases with severe ISPA or Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or those who die with convincing medical records that the person has COVID-19 and no result of laboratory test of RT-PCR.

3. Confirmed cases are individuals who tested positive for COVID-19, proven by RT-PCR laboratory test. Confirmed cases are divided into cases with symptomatic and asymptomatic.

4. Close contact addresses to individuals who have close contact with probable or confirmed cases. The contact includes having face-to-face meetings within one-meter distance and for 15 minutes or more, having direct physical contact, and giving direct treatment to probable or confirmed cases without wearing standard protective equipment (PPE).

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DEWI NURITA