Early Laboratory Results, Budi Karya Experienced Typhus, Not COVID-19

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi said that initially he did not know if he had contracted the corona virus or COVID-19 because the test results from the laboratory stated that he only had typhus or typhoid. This diagnosis came out because Budi's work schedule was excessive.

This was conveyed by Budi to reporters after the Ministry of Transportation held an online press conference with the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Jakarta, where he was being treated.

"So I don't know if I have COVID-19 because the laboratory data shows typhoid (typhoid). So, I was hospitalized, in the middle it tested positive for COVID-19. At the last moment, I discussed, it can't be COVID-19," he said. Budi in an online press conference held through the Zoom application, Monday, April 27.

Deputy Head of the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital, Brigadier General A. Budi Sulistya, who also attended the press conference, explained that Budi Karya was hospitalized for 17 days, starting from March 13. He was unconscious and had to use medical aids while being treated.

"We took care of him for 17 days and used medical aids. ... He was hospitalized on March 31, 2020 and until now he has had two realtime PCR checks and the results are negative for COVID-19," Budi explained.

Even though he is now declared negative from the corona virus, the Minister of Transportation Budi still has to undergo independent isolation as well as the recovery process even though he is considered capable of carrying out work activities from home.

"He is currently in the process of recovering and it is possible to work from home or WFH (Work From Home) while he is still in control and receiving the care of a team of doctors," said the Deputy Head of the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital.

Again, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya, according to him, in the ministry he leads it is not only him who has contracted COVID-19. There are seven other people who have tested positive. He is one of the patients from the Ministry of Transportation cluster whose age is the oldest, namely 63 years. Until now, he also does not know who first infected it and where he contracted this virus.

Budi said that during his treatment at the Army Hospital, he admitted that he had never been privileged by the medical personnel there even though Budi was a Minister of Transportation.

He said, the hospital where he was being treated was working as much as possible so that he could recover. "There is no RSPAD, ... We don't meet again," said Budi.

In addition to the matter of treatment at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, which was so optimal when he had COVID-19, he also said that he received support from his family and colleagues, including ministers.

According to Budi, during his treatment, he often communicated with friends in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, especially with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. In addition, President Jokowi also frequently monitors his health by asking him how he is doing and asking him to recover quickly.

Furthermore, Budi is ready to donate his blood plasma to help positive patients in severe conditions who are still struggling to this day.

"Blood plasma, I have been mandated by the Army Hospital and I want it. Anytime I want, because blood is useful. I know it is useful for society," he said.

It is known, some time ago the Indonesian Red Cross and the Eikjman Institute for Molecular Biology planned the development of blood plasma to cure COVID-19 patients. The blood plasma belonging to patients who have recovered from this virus has antibodies that can accelerate the healing of patients who are in severe condition.

Budi advised the public to stay enthusiastic in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, he said, President Jokowi really hopes that the spread of this virus can be finished in July so that entering August, people's lives will return to normal.

When asked when he would be actively working, the Minister of Transportation Budi said that in about a week he would start stepping on the gas for activities. He will discuss all his work related to public transportation. "I'll be effective on May 5. We'll meet on May 5," he concluded with a smile.