For patients doing self-isolation, it is better if at least somebody from a nearby clinic monitors them, so (we) can see the improvement, whether it is getting better or worseJakarta (ANTARA) - Symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients undergoing self-isolation must consult doctors and health workers in order to get appropriate treatment, an expert has said.
COVID-19 patients undergoing self-isolation, especially symptomatic patients, must not consume medication or vitamins sold via social media without prior consultation with doctors, a doctor at R. Syamsudin Public Hospital (RSUD) Sukabumi, West Java, Muhammad Yusuf Ginanjar cautioned.
"For patients doing self-isolation, it is better if at least somebody from a nearby clinic monitors them, so (we) can see the improvement, whether it is getting better or worse. When (the condition) is getting worse (they) can consult right away, if they should be referred to a hospital or not," Ginanjar said in an interview with ANTARA here on Wednesday.
The common symptoms of COVID-19 include headache, sore throat, flu, fever, dry cough, fatigue, anorexia, anosmia, ageusia, bone pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, eye inflammation, red skin, and 12-20 breath intake per minute, he said.
Other symptoms that may occur are difficulty in breathing and chest pain, he added. Those two are indicators of moderate to severe symptoms, he said.
COVID-19 patients who wish to self-isolate can also consult with doctors via telemedicine, Ginanjar said.
The Ministry of Health has listed 11 telemedicine services that can be accessed by the public, he informed.
The telemedicine providers include KlikDokter, AloDokter, GoodDoctor, Halodoc, Klinikgo, SehatQ, YesDok, ProSehat, LinkSehat, MILVIK, and Getwell, he said.
People can consult them before self-isolating should they contract COVID-19, he added.
On Tuesday (July 13), President Joko Widodo announced that COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who are currently self-isolating will receive assistance in the form of COVID-19 medications.
Community Activities Restrictions Enforcement Coordinator Luhut Binsar Panjaitan assured the assistance would be allocated from Thursday (July 15), with the help of telemedicine providers and the national defence forces.
The medications will be given to COVID-19 patients undertaking self-isolation after consulting with a doctor, he informed.
The 11 government-recommended telemedicine providers have prescribed Vitamins C, D, and E, and zinc for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in self-isolation, he said.
Patients with mild symptoms will get packages containing vitamins, antibiotics, antiviral, and febrifuge drugs.
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Translator: Livia Kristianti, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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