COVID-19 : What do we have to know?

Written by: dr. Alexandra Francesca Chandra, MRes

SARS-COV-2 is a type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 respiratory infection.

Facts

80% of cases are usually mild-moderate
15% of cases are severe
5% of cases are critical (must be treated in the ICU)

Increased number of severe cases and death are observed in people with the following comorbidities:

Heart disease
Diabetes mellitus
Chronic pulmonary disease
Hypertension
Cancer
Age >60 years old

Elderly and immunocompromised people are more prone to COVID-19.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary from mild to severe airway infection, such as:

Fever
Breathing difficulties
Coughing
Sore throat

Mode of Transmission

This disease can be transmitted between humans
It is transmitted through droplet when coughing/sneezing
Air transmission is possible in certain conditions/activities that produce aerosol

Incubation Period

The incubation period ranges from 1 to 14 days, with an average of 5-6 days.

Situation	Classification	What to do	Discharge Criteria
Exposed but no symptoms History of contact with confirmed/probable COVID-19	Close Contact Case	Quarantine for 14 days Observed by health workers via teleconsultation	No symptoms after 14 days of quarantine If symptoms occur during quarantine, becomes Suspected Case
Exposed with symptoms Symptoms occur during quarantine	Suspected Case	See a doctor RT-PCR on day 1 AND day 2 when symptom occurs Â·Self-isolation while waiting for PCR result Observed in outpatient care	RT-PCR 2x negative for 2 consecutive days (24 hr apart) If positive, becomes Confirmed Case
Mild to severe flu-like-symptoms	Suspected Case
Severe flu-like symptoms Clinical state resembling COVID-19 Waiting for RT-PCR result	Probable Case	Self-isolation Get tested (lab and chest X-ray) Those living in the same house are treated as Close Contact Case	RT-PCR 2x negative for 2 consecutive days (24 hr apart) If positive, becomes Confirmed Case
Positive RT-PCR	Confirmed Case	See a doctor Self-isolation Get tested (lab, chest X-ray, others as indicated) Those living in the same house are treated as Close Contact Case Hospital admission if symptoms worsen	1. No symptoms Self-isolation 10 days after positive RT-PCR result No need for another RT-PCR after isolation is over 2. Mild-moderate symptoms 10 days isolation + 3 days without symptoms No need for another RT-PCR after isolation is over 3. Severe symptoms Hospital admission, can be discharged after 10 days, negative RT-PCR AND min. 3 days without symptoms

How to Prevent it?

Always wear a medical mask every time you go out of your house
Routinely wash your hands with soap and water
Always maintain a 2-meter physical distance with others
Do not go out if not necessary
Avoid crowds
Healthy lifestyle, get enough rest, balanced diet, mild physical activity, and bask in the sun

References:

Pedoman Pencegahan dan Pengendalian Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Revisi ke-5. http://covid19.go.id/p/protokol/pedoman-pencegahan-dan-pengendalian-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-revisi-ke-5
Protokol Tatalaksana COVID-19. Kementerian Kesehatan. Agustus 2020.

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