VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Health consultations via telemedicine have continued even though the government has pegged the community transmission of COVID-19 at Level 1, government spokesperson for COVID-19 Reisa Broto Asmoro has emphasized.

"The treatment for COVID-19 is still available, and the government is providing convenience. Patients who are self-isolating can take advantage of the free telemedicine service from the Ministry of Health," she said in a press statement issued in Jakarta on Wednesday.

She informed that COVID-19 treatment is still available for the public. Various medicines prescribed during telemedicine consultations are still being provided free of charge.

As one of the efforts to improve telemedicine services, since November 6, 2022, the government has allowed all prescription drugs to be sent via a pick-up service or taken directly by the patient's family directly at designated Kimia Farma pharmacies without having to wait for delivery, Asmoro said.

Each patient who is confirmed to have COVID-19 based on the results of a PCR or antigen swab test receives an automatic WhatsApp message from the Ministry of Health. If not, the patient can contact the Ministry of Health via WhatsApp messenger at 0811-1050-0567.

"Patients can call that number if they receive positive test results from PCR or antigen results, which are carried out in laboratories that are affiliated with the Ministry of Health and have entered PeduliLindungi. For further information, people can check www.isoman.kemkes.go.id," she added.

Regarding the community transmission indicator assessed by the Ministry of Health on November 21, the incidence of cases stood at 17.01 per 100 thousand population per week, therefore, community transmission was still at Level 1.

Then, hospitalizations, which reached 2.18 per 100 thousand population per week, were also still at Level 1. The death rate, which reached 0.10 per 100 thousand population per week, also remained at Level 1.

Asmoro said that the response capacity indicator associated with testing was 20.67 per positivity rate per week, which indicated a limited response capacity and the need for increasing the number of tests.

Meanwhile, in tracing, the ratio of 9.88 close contacts per week reflected a moderate response capacity. Even so, the treatment was considered sufficient at 12.12 percent BOR (bed occupancy ratio) per week.

Thus, conditions are still conducive and in line with the Minister of Home Affairs’ Instruction Number 49 of 2022 regarding the implementation of Level 1 community mobility restrictions (PPKM) in Java and Bali, which will be effective from November 22 to December 5, she noted.

“Maintaining health can be started by adopting a clean and healthy lifestyle. This is not only related to COVID-19 but is also useful for avoiding other diseases, both communicable and non-communicable, including comorbidities, which can increase fatality against COVID-19," she added. (Antaranews)