Several Airplane Passengers Who Arrived in Papua Are COVID-19 Positive

JAKARTA - A number of airplane passengers who came to several cities in Papua are COVID-19 positive based on a rapid test result. The test was carried out when they arrived at the local airport.

"It is true that since the opening of passenger flights, several cases have been found. After a rapid test was found to be reactive, carried out a 'swab' test, and got COVID-19 positive result," said Papua Province COVID-19 Task Force Handling Spokesperson, Silwanus Sumule, Thursday, July 30.

So far, positive cases have been found in Jayapura and Merauke. The last four positive cases are currently being treated. They are passengers who have just arrived in Merauke.

With this case, he hopes that the airport in every area is conducting a more thorough examination, in order to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 positive patients in Papua is currently 2,949. "1,542 people were treated, 1,375 people recovered, and 32 people died," he said.

This was justified by the Merauke District Health Office, Dr. Neville Maskita. He acknowledged that the four cases of COVID-19 positive patients are from outside Papua.

The case was revealed because the Merauke Regency Government, through a task force, imposed a quick check on residents who had just arrived after they had carried out an independent quarantine.

After the rapid test result was found reactive, so swabs were examined using a molecular rapid test (TCM), and the results were positive.

"There are currently six COVID-19 patients," Neville said.