COVID-19 Jakarta Breaks 9,271, Provincial Government Asks For Understanding Of OTG Patients - Mild Symptoms Don't Need Hospitalization

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Province recorded an increase in new cases which reached a record 9,271 cases today. The continuous spike in cases has resulted in the occupancy of beds for COVID-19 patients at referral hospitals getting thinner. In fact, several hospitals have refused patients who want to receive treatment.

The Head of the DKI Health Office, Widyastuti, asked for understanding from people infected with COVID-19 with mild symptoms and the category of people without symptoms (OTG) not to be treated at a referral hospital.

Moreover, said Widyastuti, the Ministry of Health has determined the priority criteria for COVID-19 patients who need to be hospitalized.

"The public needs to know that not all patients with COVID-19 must be treated in hospitals. The priority of patients who can be treated at the hospital are those with moderate, severe, and critical symptoms", said Widyastuti in a statement, Saturday, June 26.

More specifically, the priority criteria for patients who need to be hospitalized are if the oxygen saturation is below 95 percent, experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty/unable to speak, decreased consciousness, comorbidities, and moderate symptoms with pneumonia.

Meanwhile, outside of these criteria, Widyastuti sees no need to be treated at a COVID-19 referral hospital. "Those with mild symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, headache, sore throat, no shortness of breath, or those without symptoms, can only self-isolate at home or in controlled isolation facilities", she continued.

Widyastuti then asked the public not to panic when tested positive for COVID-19. If confirmed positive, immediately report to the COVID-19 Task Force at the Neighbor Association level and the nearest Public health center so that an initial examination can be carried out and given an introduction if controlled isolation is required.

Currently, there are 140 COVID-19 referral hospitals available in Jakarta. Of the 140 hospitals, there are Regional Hospitals under the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, all of which have treated COVID-19.

The hospitals belonging to the DKI Provincial Government are Tanah Abang Hospital, Cempaka Putih Hospital, Sawah Besar Hospital, Tugu Koja Hospital, Pademangan Hospital, Cengkareng Hospital, Kalideres Hospital, Pasar Minggu Hospital, Kebayoran Lama Hospital, Kebayoran Baru Hospital, Jatipadang Hospital, Kramat Jati Hospital, RSUD Ciracas, Duren Sawit Hospital, Tarakan Hospital, Koja Hospital, Pasar Rebo Hospital, Budhi Asih Hospital, and Adhyaksa Hospital.

"Nevertheless, we will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Health and health facilities to increase the number of COVID-19 treatment beds in Jakarta", he added.