COVID-19 Task Force Explains Criteria of Self Isolation
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April 6, 2020 | 01:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Achmad Yurianto, explained the range of conditions that stipulates an individual to carry out self isolation, in order to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
"Talking about isolation, it means to separate the source of the disease from other people who are vulnerable," Yurianto said at a press conference on Monday, April 6, 2020.
The source of the disease, Yurianto continued, is referring to COVID-19 positive patients; while the vulnerable group refers to the general public prone to COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, the source of the disease must undergo self isolation with a mask, in order to prevent transmission through saliva.
There are two methods of identifying COVID-19 positive patients; firstly, is when they are positive for a COVID-19 swab test. Secondly, if a patient is positive on a rapid test, “we believe that the patient would most likely be COVID-19 positive,” Yurianto said.
In addition, individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever accompanied with coughing, as well as heavy breathing, are stipulated to undergo self isolation. However, Yurianto noted that self isolation is not meant to ostracize the patient.
According to Yurianto, self isolation refers to physical insulation, which means that the source of disease can not be close to other people, by maintaining a distance of about 2 meters. "Not the kind of social isolation where you ostracize people," he stated.
Furthermore, the indicator of a successful self isolation can only be observed after an incubation period of 14 days with good health and without complaints, under the supervision of a medical personnel. After 14 days of independent isolation, the medical personnel must re-examine through a PCR swab test.
Even if the results are negative, Yurianto added, the person must continue to be mindful of the pandemic. "This is a pandemic that can last for a few months. The most important thing is that we are sure that the patient is no longer a source of disease," said Yurianto.
FRISKI RIANA | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)
