On 5th Day, 2 Hajj Pilgrims From Batam Are COVID-19 Positive, How Are They Now?

Returning from the Holy Land, the hajj group had a COVID-19 antigen swab test at Batam's Hang Nadim Airport, Riau Islands, Wednesday 27 July. (PHOTO ANTARA-Jessica)

KEPRI - The Riau Islands Province COVID-19 Task Force (Kepri) monitored two hajj pilgrims from Batam Debarkation who were isolated in the Hajj Dormitory after being tested positive for COVID-19.

Spokesman for the Riau Islands COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Tjtetjep Yudiana, said the pilgrims from Bintan Regency, Riau Islands and North Kayong Regency, West Kalimantan Province who were infected with COVID-19 were in good condition.

"We are following the development of the conditions of the Batam Debarkation pilgrims, including those infected with COVID-19. Hopefully the two pilgrims will recover soon," he said when contacted from Tanjungpinang, Friday,

The former Head of the Riau Islands Health Office said that on the fifth day at the Hajj Dormitory, the two pilgrims would undergo a swab test using the PCR method to detect whether the virus was still in their bodies or not. If it is not there, then the pilgrims can return to their homes.

"If you are still positive for COVID-19, then the isolation will be continued for up to 10 days, then you can return to your residence without requiring reconfirmation," he said.

So far, according to him, there have been no additional Batam Debarkation pilgrims who have tested positive for COVID-19. "The team is still searching for people who have close contact with pilgrims who are positive for COVID-19," he said, according to Antara.

Previously, from Batam, it was reported that the Head of Information and Public Relations of PPIH Debarkation Hang Nadim Batam, Abu Sufyan, said the pilgrims who tested negative for COVID-19 had returned to the group.

"Alhamdulillah, the pilgrims who tested positive have received treatment according to the protocol, the pilgrims who were declared negative immediately returned to the group, and continued the journey back to their origin," he continued.

On Wednesday, July 27, as many as 10 hajj pilgrims from Hang Nadim Batam Debarkation group 2 from West Kalimantan Province were sampled for a PCR swab test after the results of the antigen swab test were declared reactive.

In addition to the 10 hajj pilgrims, the Coordinator of the Section for the Handling of High Risk Congregations (risti) PPIH Debarkation Hang Nadim Batam, dr. Romer Simanungkalit in Batam, Wednesday said there was a pilgrim whose body temperature exceeded 37.5 degrees, and a PCR swab test was taken.

"A pilgrim has a fever because his temperature exceeds 37.5 degrees Celsius, then 10 people have reactive antigen results, so we have PCR for 11 people for BTH 02," said Abu Sufyan.

Based on data from the Riau Islands COVID-19 Handling Task Force, the number of active COVID-19 cases in the region increased by seven people to 53 people. There are 27 active cases of COVID-19 in Riau Islands, 27 people in Tanjungpinang, 22 in Batam, three in Bintan, and one in Natuna.