Gov’t Issues Circular on Provisions for Omicron Self-Isolation Patients
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin issued Circular Number HK.02.01/MENKES/18/2022 on Prevention and Control of Omicron Variant (B.1.1.529) of COVID-19. This circular which was enacted on January 17, 2022 contains provisions for COVID-19 including Omicron self-isolation patients.
“Patients of probable case and confirmed Omicron variant case including patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 must undergo isolation,” the circular reads.
Based on the circular, the provisions of isolation place for patients of Omicron Variant of COVID-19 are as follows:
- Patients with confirmed COVID-19 who have severe symptom must be treated at the COVID-19 Treatment Hospital.
- Patients with confirmed COVID-19 who have mild symptoms with uncontrolled comorbid can be treated at the Emergency Hospital for COVID-19 or the COVID-19 Treatment Hospital.
- Patients with confirmed COVID-19 who have no symptom (asymptomatic) and mild symptoms can undergo self-isolation at home if it meets clinical conditions.
The clinical conditions are as follows:
1. Patients are under 45 years old;
2. Patients have no comorbid;
3. Patients can access telemedicine and other healthcare services; and
4. Patients have commitment to undergo self-isolation before receiving permission to leave their home.
The self-isolation place (home) must meet these following conditions:
1. It has separate room or, even better, separate floor for patient to stay;
2. It has separate bathroom/toilet; and
3. Pulse oximetry is available
“If patients do not meet clinical conditions and conditions for isolation place, the patients must undergo isolation at isolation center. During the isolation, the patients must be under surveillance of local community health center and COVID-19 task force,” the circular states. (PR of Ministry of Health/UN) (AP/LW)