Covid-19 Self-isolation and When to End it

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Many people opt to undergo self-isolation than admit themselves to hospital once they have tested positive for Covid-19, especially if the symptoms are mild or even asymptomatic. However, how can one certainly know for sure when they can end their self-isolation? Especially when there are no healthcare workers nearby. 

According to a doctor, health educator and Covid-19 volunteer Muhammad Fajri Adda’I, a Covid-19 patient can end their isolation period and consider themselves recovered after 10-day of isolation, and three additional days showing no more symptoms. 

However, the doctor said that this applies for patients with mild and medium symptoms which the Indonesian Health Ministry officially refers to. People suffering from more severe coronavirus symptoms must undergo a longer period of self isolation. 

Despite citing the guidelines by the CDC that does not require a swab test upon ending an isolation period, he recommends people that it is ideally better to consult a professional medical practitioner and receive a definite answer whether a person has recovered from Covid-19.

More importantly, Fajri said the risk of transmitting the disease is much lower as a person has isolated themselves for 14 days. The aforementioned guidelines may not be suitable for patients in critical condition which requires them to undergo PCR test to determine if they have recovered and an official report from hospitals to accompany it. 

Read: 451 People in Self-isolation Die; COVID-19 Watchdog Reports

GERIN RIO PRANATA