Covid-19 in Papua Continues to Increase, Sumule: Tightening Physical Distancing

Covid-19 in Papua Continues to Increase, Sumule: Tightening Physical Distancing

Patients confirmed positive infected with a new corona virus or Covid-19 in Papua Province increased by 23 so that it became 178 people until Tuesday (28/4) at 19.00 CET.

Spokesman for Covid-19 Papua Province Dr. Silwanus Sumule said, out of 178 positive patients, 119 people were treated or 67 percent were cured, 52 people recovered or 29 percent died and 7 people died or 4 percent.

"Examinations that we have done at the Ministry of Health Litbangkes and the Provincial Health Laboratory of Papua Province amounted to 752 samples," he said through a video conference on Tuesday.

He detailed, the addition of 23 cases came from Nabire Regency, 13 people, Biak Regency 6 people, Supiori Regency as a new distribution area of ​​2 people and Jayapura City 2 people.

"The number of districts affected by the spread of this virus is Supiori, so that a total of 12 districts / cities," he said.

The highest cases in Mimika Regency were 45 positive patients, then Jayapura City were 44 positive patients, and Jayapura Regency 31 positive patients.

The Covid-19 Papua Task Force is paying serious attention to districts where local transmission has taken place, especially for new distribution districts which have only recently found positive cases.

"Today, our Nabire Regency is treating 16 positive cases, then 6 cases of Biak, 2 cases of Supiori, but both cases are being treated in Biak," Sumule said.

The Papua Provincial Government through the Covid-19 Task Force also requested special attention from all health workers who are currently treating Covid-19 patients in hospitals throughout the district / city.

"Things that need attention, all health workers to pay attention in detail to the patient's condition," he said.

Sumule continued, finding cases and symptoms had to be as early as possible, then conducted strict monitoring, so that taking action to prevent new infections occurred.

He illustrated, that an experience can be drawn from the conditions, especially in the city of Jayapura. Where there are recognized failures when handling initial cases.

"Why, because we did not immediately intervene early. But in the course of time, we are able to find this case and intervene, "he said.

Therefore, he hopes that all medical staff working in hospitals join hands to provide extra close monitoring of the cases currently found.

Sumule also asked all Health Offices, both in the Saireri, Meepago, and Lapago adat areas, to activate all surveillance personnel.

"Find all cases from the beginning, look for ODP, PDP, and when you find them, do a direct test, if positive then do treatment and immediately refer to the hospital," he urged.

"The key word is how friends in the district / city, especially in the respective Health Department to find this case as early as possible," he continued.

Meanwhile, all the communities in the indigenous areas of Meepago, Saireri and Lapago to proactively contact health officials. If you feel contact with the patient, immediately report it to get treatment.

"Contact the Health Service or contact the hospital. If there really is a contact you immediately ask to be tested, "he said.

By conducting tests, he said, health workers will immediately make every effort to prevent this disease from spreading. Besides that, it can prevent this disease from becoming more severe when it is exposed.

"We ask all governments, both governments in the indigenous areas of Meepago and Lapago, to tighten population movements. Make sure social distancing, physical distancing is done with full attention, "he said.

According to Sumule, the tightened social distancing expansion would be a guideline for regencies / cities where local transmission occurs so that it can immediately control the outbreak of this disease.

He ensured, the Papua Provincial Government was ready to help if there were district / city needs regarding efforts in handling Covid-19, particularly in the health sector.

"We are ready to help whether it concerns PPE, rapid tests, drugs, sampling, immediately contact us at the Papua Provincial Health Office," he concluded.