Your Family Is Positive For COVID-19, Doctor Reisa: Don't Just Give Care

Government Spokesperson for Handling COVID-19 Reisa Broto Asmoro/ Antara

JAKARTA - Government Spokesperson for Handling COVID-19, Reisa Broto Asmoro, asked all parties not to provide care to family members suspected of being positive for COVID-19.

"Careful! Do not self-medicate, especially with medicines that are not recommended by health workers," Reisa said in a Health Broadcast entitled Anticipating the Third Wave Surge in Indonesia online, followed in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Monday, January 31.

Reisa said that the symptoms that COVID-19 patients have can vary and differ from person to person. As in the symptoms of the Omicron variant, for example.

After the government conducted a study, the symptoms that most often appeared in patients were sore throat, dry cough, headache or fever. However, in some cases, loss of smell does not occur frequently in patients with the new variant.

"Although it is stated that the symptoms are milder than Delta, this does not necessarily mean that Omicron is an underestimated disease. This is still a dangerous virus, we have to be careful,” said the woman who is also the Behavior Change Ambassador.

According to him, although the average person affected by Omicron will improve after five days and the symptoms suffered are mild, Reisa asked the public to continue to carry out COVID-19 tests through the laboratory to ascertain exactly what variants affect family members.

Reisa also asked the public to apply the recommendations in the Circular Letter of the Minister of Health Number HK.02.01/Menkes/18/2022 regarding the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 Cases related to the Omicron Variant. in their respective residences by taking into account the clinical requirements and the requirements of the house where the isolation is carried out.

The clinical requirements in question refer to the patient being a maximum of 45 years old, having no comorbidities, being able to access telemedicine or other health services and being committed to continuing to self-isolate before being allowed to leave.

Meanwhile, the requirements for the house are to have a separate room and a separate bathroom from other family members. If there are conditions that do not comply with these requirements, then the positive member must immediately isolate in a centralized manner after receiving a recommendation from the health worker at the nearest health facility.

In addition to ensuring the COVID-19 variant and orderly distinguishing isolation, he advised the public to consult with health workers using telemedicine to get the right medicine and monitor oxygen saturation through an oximeter at home.

Reisa also emphasized that in order to avoid various variants of COVID-19, the community is expected to be disciplined in carrying out health protocols as well as implementing a healthy lifestyle so as to prevent a spike in cases at any time.

"Don't forget the health protocol, eat nutritious food, don't stress and get enough rest. Always run a healthy lifestyle," he said.