COVID-19 In East Kotawaringin Goes Crazy, Puskesmas Is Starting To Get Overwhelmed And Asks For Additional Health Workers

KALIMANTAN - The spike in COVID-19 cases in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan has overwhelmed several health centers in the area of Sampit City and has asked for additional help from health workers.

From the Antara report, the highest sub-districts are Baamang and Ketapang. This was revealed by the Acting Head of the Kotawaringin Timur Health Office, Umar Kaderi, in an evaluation meeting for the handling of COVID-19 led by Regent Halikinnor accompanied by Police Chief AKBP Abdoel Harris Jakin.

"Starting today, we are starting to fall behind. Apart from continuing to carry out vaccinations, our staff will monitor isolation patients independently. The Ketapang Community Health Center has even asked for assistance," said Umar Kaderi, Thursday, May 6.

The spike in COVID-19 cases has been very significant in the last two weeks. Even in examining PCR swab samples, the results were 90 percent positive for COVID-19, even though in the previous period only 30 to 40 percent of each sample was examined.

The number of additional new cases is much greater than the cured cases. The trend of positive cases is also predicted to increase.

Currently the number of active COVID-19 cases is 259 people, consisting of 55 people who are being treated in hospital, while the rest are carrying out independent isolation. If the examination continues to be carried out intensively, Umar predicts that 500 active cases could penetrate.

The readiness of the treatment bed in the isolation room of the Dr. Murjani Sampit Regional Hospital has reached 77 percent. This condition is considered to be very worrying because it should only be under 50 percent.

The results of the evaluation by the Health Office, this increase in cases cannot be separated from the attitude of some people who have begun to ignore health protocols. Activities in markets, stalls, breaking the fast together and religious activities that do not apply health protocols are believed to be the triggers for the spike in COVID-19 cases in April and May.

Today the Health Office conducted a PCR swab test on 41 tarawih prayer congregations who had close contact with a positive COVID-19 patient. If the results are many that are positive, then this indicates a new cluster, namely religious activities.

For handling in the field, the Health Office will assist personnel from the puskesmas with low cases to assist in the Ketapang and Baamang Puskesmas. Monitoring of patients undergoing self-isolation is a serious concern.

"We also sometimes get threats when monitoring in the field. Even yesterday there were protests whose names were spread. Even though it was for the purposes of monitoring by the village head, village head and sub-district head. To optimize monitoring and treatment we coordinated with the Koramil and Polsek," said Umar.

Responding to this condition, Regent Halikinnor asked for increased coordination between agencies. He ordered all staff shortages and budget to be met immediately because this involves lives so that it must be dealt with quickly.

Halikinnor ordered, the isolation room at the Islamic Center Clinic or KIC, which has been closed, to be reopened to anticipate the increase in moderate and severe symptoms of COVID-19 patients who require treatment.

"But if there are independent isolation patients who are stubborn or wandering, they will be forced to be treated in an isolation room. For health workers, if there is a threat while on duty, report them so that they will be accompanied by the police and Satpol PP," said Halikinnor.

Halikinnor also ordered the Social Service to help with basic necessities for patients who are undergoing independent isolation so that they can still meet their daily needs. Meanwhile, self-isolating patients are also asked to comply with the rules.

Another policy, the local government has also closed tourist objects such as Ujung Pandaran Beach and others to prevent crowds. This is an effort to prevent transmission of the deadly virus.

Local government officials were also ordered to postpone all events that were of a nature to gather large numbers of people. Meetings can be held virtually so activities can keep going.

"The Task Force Command Post has also been reopened. Later, the socialization will continue to be intensified, as well as seeking solutions for sanctions in order to have a deterrent effect," said Halikinnor.