COVID-19 Cases Slowly Rise Again, Ministry Of Health Allows Residents Of Independent Antigen Tests

PHOTO OF ILLUSTRATION/DOK OF THE Surabaya City Government

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) now allows the public to self-test COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test. This test was detected with a reporting system through the SATUSEHAT application.

Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Rizka Andalucia said that currently there are independent antigen rapid test products that have obtained distribution permits from the Ministry of Health.

This was determined in line with the COVID-19 case which is now starting to rise slowly again. There have been two cases of the XBB variant.1.16 or better known as Arcturus found in Indonesia. The Arcturus variant is now the cause of the increase in corona cases in a number of countries.

"By doing independent screening, of course, it is hoped that it will accelerate the findings of COVID-19 cases and treatment. It is hoped that independent screening in the context of early detection of COVID-19 can be carried out properly for a healthier and more resilient Indonesia," Rizka said in his statement, quoted on Monday, April 17.

Rizka explained that people can use self-antigen rapid tests without requiring the assistance of health workers, both during the sampling of specimens to reading the test results.

The public can buy independent antigen rapid test products at medical device stores, pharmacies, and other places that have a distribution permit for medical devices.

"Make sure the self-antigen rapid test product purchased has a distribution permit," he added.

Currently, there are two independent antigen rapid test products that have been approved for their distribution permit and have a QR code that is connected to the SATUSEHAT application, namely FASTCLEAR Q COVID-19 Ag Nasal and Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test.

"Products have a QR code that is connected to the SATUSEHAT application. The QR code contains a unique code for each product, as a product identification sign so that it can be traced and cannot be reused," he explained.

If people are confirmed positive for COVID-19 when carrying out an independent antigen test, the government provides telemedicine services. To do this, upload the results of the self-antigen rapid test through the SATUSEHAT application with a scan of the QR code and fill in the required data.

If the test results are positive, then do self-isolation and continue consulting through telemedicine services to get free treatment. If the test results are negative, but have symptoms or close contact, then continue to self-quarantine and consult with health workers," he added.