Alert, In Banyumas There Is A Tarawih COVID-19 Cluster Due To Sick Congregations Forcing Prayers In Mosques

JAKARTA - Director of Prevention and Control of Vector Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Siti Nadia Tarmizi said that the COVID-19 cluster of tarawih prayer activities emerged during the month of Ramadan this year.

"There is a cluster in Banyumas. We got this information that in Banyumas there were 51 people who tested positive for COVID-19 after the tarawih prayer," said Nadia in a virtual press conference, Friday, April 30.

Nadia said that 51 people who were exposed to COVID-19 in the tarawih cluster were in two different mosques. The initial cause, there was one congregation who was sick but still forced himself to tarawih at the mosque.

"There is one congregation who has tested positive for COVID-19. Even though he was sick, he still left for tarawih to the mosque. Of course, things like this are our concern," he said.

In addition to the tarawih cluster, Nadia also revealed the emergence of homecoming clusters in Pati, takziah clusters in Semarang, to breaking fast clusters together in various regions.

"The large number of people who are currently doing iftar activities together. Iftar together can be done again, pay attention to health protocols. In principle, talking at meals together is a very possible factor for the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. This is certainly what we do not want. "he explained.

Nadia also mentioned the presence of office COVID-19 clusters, one of which is in DKI Jakarta. The DKI Provincial Government noted that there were hundreds of additional positive cases of COVID-19 in offices in just one week.

In the period 5-11 April 2021, there were 157 cases of COVID-19 in offices. Cases spread from 78 offices in the capital. Then on April 12-18, the number of cases increased to 425 people in 177 offices. This means, there are an additional 268 patients in one week.