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Ministry of Health studies nationwide Covid-19 rapid testing

19 March 2020 11:18

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health is studying the implementation of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) rapid testing across Indonesia to expedite the detection of the disease.

“The Covid-19 rapid testing will use blood specimens and serums instead of throat swabs,” said the government’s spokesman on Covid-19 Dr Achmad Yurianto at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) headquarters in East Jakarta, Wednesday (18/3).

The rapid testing, said Dr Yurianto, will not require biosecurity level 2 facilities, and thus can be done in almost all health laboratories across Indonesia. However, the testing will require an immunoglobulin reaction from an individual who has been infected for at least a week.

“In the case of a positive result from rapid testing with minimum to no symptoms, the patient is required to self-isolate at home with monitoring from the nearest public health facility,” said Dr Yurianto.

For the time being, Dr Yurianto appeals that the public self-isolate as directed by the government and avoid non-essential air travels. The Ministry of Health will continue coordinating with BNPB to deliver information related to Covid-19 to the public.

“Thus, we hope the public will stay calm and understand better what needs to be done to handle the outbreak,” said Dr Yurianto. (MS)

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