Prepare health protocol that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. This is crucial.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called for the application of a simple health protocol for the public keen on undergoing health testing for coronavirus at hospitals.

"Prepare a health protocol that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. This is crucial," the president stated at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, during a meeting on COVID-19 held via videoconference.

The videoconferencing was attended by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, cabinet ministers, and head of the COVID-19 handling task force, concurrently head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Mondardo.

"With regard to the result of this rapid test, whether people will have to undergo a self-quarantine or require medical help, it will be elaborated in the health protocol," Jokowi remarked.

Rapid test for COVID-19 is an early detection for coronavirus infection.

Currently, the Health Ministry will require three days to test the coronavirus infection using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system and genome sequencing

"Prepare the contingency plan for hospitals, including the referral hospitals, mobilization of state-run hospitals, military and police hospitals, private hospitals as well as emergency hospital if necessary," he added.

The government can also utilize the Athlete Village (Wisma Atlet) in Kemayoran, Jakarta, which has a capacity to accommodate 15 thousand people.

"We can also utilize state-run hotels. These contingency plans must also be prepared in all regions, including expediting hospital rehabilitation in Galang Island of Riau Islands Province," the president remarked.

According to the health protocol for handling COVID-19 as stipulated in the government's official website https://www.covid19.go.id, those feeling unwell are advised to stay at home. If a person experiences breathing difficulties then he/she should seek medical attention.

Maintain a distance of at least a meter between yourself and other members of the family at home. When seeking medical treatment at hospital, do not forget to wear a mask.

Sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow or use tissue. The used tissue should then be immediately discarded in a closed bin.

Medical officers will conduct screening of people. Those meeting the criteria as COVID-19 suspected cases will be sent to a referral hospital.

If you do not show any symptom but have a history of overseas travelling within the past 14 days or you have come in contact with a person, who had tested positive for COVID-19, you can call Hotline Center 119 ext 9.

As of Wednesday, the number of coronavirus patients in Indonesia had reached 227, with 19 deaths and 11 recovered. This means that the mortality rate in the country has reached 8.4 percent.

These patients were treated in several regions, including Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, North Sumatera, Lampung, Riau Islands, East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Bali, Yogyakarta.

The virus, as of Thursday, has infected 219.238 people worldwide. The death toll has reached 8,967 people and 85,742 patients have recovered.

In China, the number of cases had reached 80,928, while 35,713 cases in Italy, 17,361 in Iran, 14,769 in Spain, and 12,327 in Germany.

The highest number of fatalities recorded in China reached 3,245, followed by 2,978 in Italy, 1,135 in Iran, and 638 in Spain. As many as 123 countries have confirmed COVID-19 cases.
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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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