Thin Beds, Task Force: Not All COVID-19 Patients Must Be Treated In Hospitals

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said that not everyone who was confirmed positive had to receive treatment at a COVID-19 referral hospital.

This was revealed by Wiku in response to the trend of occupancy of hospital beds in various regions until treatment capacity was running low.

Wiku said, when capacity runs low, there needs to be good management regarding the proper distribution of COVID-19 patients based on symptoms, so that the occupancy of beds in hospitals can be controlled. Provide treatment rooms at the hospital for COVID-19 patients with moderate and severe symptoms.

"Not all COVID-19 patients have to go to the hospital for further treatment. Patients with severe and moderate symptoms who have the right to receive treatment, both isolation and intensive care in hospitals," said Wiku in a written statement, quoted Friday, June 25.

Based on data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of COVID-19 patients in the world have mild to moderate symptoms with the same percentage, each of which is 40 percent.

Meanwhile, for COVID-19 patients who have mild symptoms and have no symptoms, Wiku recommends that isolation be carried out centrally in appropriate locations so that its implementation is properly monitored.

"The local government through the local health office is responsible for providing centralized isolation facilities. The facilities provided must also be appropriate and attract public interest in using the facilities provided," said Wiku.

Wiku understands that the ability of each region to provide controlled isolation locations is different. Therefore, people who still lack centralized isolation facilities can participate in helping efforts to control COVID-19 in stages by taking the initiative to self-isolate at home, boarding houses, hotels, or apartments.

"The government supports this effort with the record that the community is committed to carrying out self-isolation procedures properly under the supervision of the puskesmas which are part of the command post," said Wiku.

Furthermore, for people who decide to self-isolate, they must prepare and follow procedures in accordance with the recommended guidelines.

There are several things that must be done during self-isolation, namely getting enough rest, taking multivitamins, and exercising.

Also, make sure there is a separate room between individuals who are isolating with other residents to minimize transmission to other family members. "It is also important to immediately contact health workers if symptoms worsen," he added.