Self-Isolation during Pandemic: What should be done?

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is a disease caused by a SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2), a virus infection that was established by WHO (World Health Organization) as a pandemic in March 2020. Until now, an increasing number of cases continued. There were 9,633,157 confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide with mortality of 490,481 cases. One hundred ninety-five countries had local transmission, including Indonesia.

In Indonesia, as of 27 June 2020, there were 52,812 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 2,720 (5.2%) mortality cases and 28,183 (53.4%) cases on treatment. An increasing number of confirmed cases in one day reached 1,385 cases. This place Indonesia as the country with the highest number of additional cases in Southeast Asia.

Various efforts had been done to overcome this pandemic. Self-isolation is one of them. Generally, the doctor will assess the patient's condition and status before suggesting self-isolation. Self-isolation usually recommended in patients with OTG, ODP, and Mild PDP status. This protocol aims to prevent transmission of COVID-19 to the community.

Nine things must be done during self-isolation. These include monitoring the symptoms and healthy behavior during isolation.

First, stay at home. Don't go anywhere, either to go to school or work. Visiting public spaces is not permitted.

Second, avoid physical contact with other family members. It is recommended to use separate rooms and keep a distance of at least 1 meter.

Third, always wear a mask during self-isolation. Replace when it's dirty.

Fourth, do regular monitoring of body temperature and symptoms felt. Symptoms include the presence of fever, cough, flu, and shortness of breath.

Fifth, avoid sharing tableware (plates, spoons, forks, cups) and toiletries (towels, toothbrushes, dipper) with other family members.

Sixth, apply healthy living behavior such as washing hands regularly with soap and running water, eating foods with balanced nutrition, and follow a cough and sneezing etiquette.

Seventh, bask in the sun every morning

Eighth, keep the house clean, and clean the house with disinfectant.

Last, contact a health care facility if symptoms worsen. Tell doctors and nurses about symptoms, travel history, contact history with COVID-19 patients, and results of examinations that have been done. You can also use telemedicine facilities to consult during the isolation period.

So, if you are advised by your doctor to undergo self-isolation, obey these nine crucial things.

Let's take part in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.