Self-isolating OTG Patient Stories In Hotels: Difficult To Leave The Room And Change The Bedding Alone

hotel self-isolation illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Undergoing self-isolation in hotels for some patients with OTG status or mild symptoms may sound good or comfortable. But it is a different story, if the patient only stays in the room without getting adequate treatment or health facilities.

This was experienced by a patient with OTG status, who is now undergoing self-quarantine at the Ibis Style Hotel in Mangga Dua, Jakarta. For the past four days, he and his two sons have undergone independent isolation without getting medical services like OTG patients who are treated at Wisma Athletes.

Where the patient's condition in the hospital will receive comprehensive care, from medical examinations, drugs and vitamins to support their physical condition. Including respiratory care and other medical devices that support during quarantine.

"It's been four days I stay at the hotel Ibis Mangga Dua, since referred from health centers to undergo an independent isolation," he did not want to be named told VOI, Thursday, October 1st.

He was not alone, along with his two children who were also declared OTG and had to undergo independent isolation at the hotel. This decision was taken after the results of the swab test that his wife underwent tested positive for COVID-19.

OTG patient activity is carried out in the room (Special doc)

According to the story, COVID-19 patients will be picked up by an ambulance and referred to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, this person admitted that he was escorted using a school shuttle bus to the hotel which was referred to as a place of independent isolation.

For information, the central government, through the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, has opened a number of hotels to become independent isolation places for COVID-19 patients with OTG symptoms, for 10 to 14 days. One of them is Ibis Style in Mangga Dua, North Jakarta.

"Upon arrival there is a standard health protocol, which is carried out by health workers and the hotel. It's just that apart from staying in a hotel room, we receive no other health services," he explained.

"For standard 3-star hotel services. But for OTG patients, they cannot use hotel facilities, even to leave the room or sunbathe, like the care of OTG patients who are treated at the Athlete's House is not allowed," he added.

Where according to him, this was indeed done by the hotel to minimize the interaction of OTG patients with other visitors. For room service, hotel staff are also equipped with PPE clothes when interacting with OTG patients.

While undergoing self-quarantine, the hotel guarantees the food needs of OTG patients. They receive three meals and side dishes a day, starting from breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The menu received by OTG patients during self-quarantine at hotels (special doc)

The side dishes are varied, like this morning, he received a meal with a side dish of yellow rice and beef eye eggs, complete with stir-fried vegetables, chili sauce and watermelon slices. While the lunch side dishes are chicken rice, stir-fried vegetables, crackers and three slices of watermelon.

Even though the food needs are fulfilled, he feels confused because neither the hotel nor the health workers provide medicines or vitamin supplements for OTG patients. Including routine health checks as well as procedures for OTG patients at Wisma Atlet.

"The medicine is not available, even for medical examinations such as tension, measuring body temperature and no vitamins. So just stay in the hotel room," he said.

All Done Alone

The lack of facilities received requires OTG patients to carry out daily activities independently. Even the laundry service that is usually provided by the hotel cannot be done.

"For room service , we do it ourselves, most of which can be ordered is changing sheets and blankets or mops and brooms. Even for laundry, because we can't wash and dry clothes outside, we do it in the room," he said.

All household activities such as washing and cleaning the room are done by themselves. If anything is needed, the hotel staff will only escort him to the front of the room.

"They only deliver goods as requested and put in front of the room door. Hotel staff also wear PPE clothes, after that I do it myself to broom or mop and clean the room," he said.

Drying clothes in the room (special doc)

According to him, only one officer from the Jakarta health office was at the hotel to monitor OTG patients while undergoing independent isolation. He also did not understand how the self-isolation procedure in hotels actually was.

This is because new health workers will examine OTG patients on the 10th day after undergoing independent isolation at the hotel. After that they will take action to be allowed to go home or stay at the hotel.

"It's a bit confused too with the status of the OTG who is undergoing independent isolation here. There is no similarity in the health service facilities that OTG patients receive at the Athlete's House, even to find out that we are healthy, we will be checked on the 10th day," he said.

According to him, the procedure for self-isolation in hotels is no different from quarantine at home. Because there is no activity or health service to control OTG patients.

"If it's just eating and sleeping, maybe it's better to stay at home. I also don't know what the medical examination is because of the minimal interaction and administration of drugs or vitamins. At home, of course, I can control it to the nearest health center," he concluded.