Medical Officers Become The Main Target Of Rapid Test, Not Others

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian (Photo: Twitter @kemendagri)

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian emphasized that the main target in conducting a rapid test for the corona virus or COVID-19 is medical personnel. Tito instructed local governments to comply with this rapid test procedure.

"The main target group for rapid testing is our medical staff, namely doctors, nurses, hospital workers, especially those in charge of handling COVID-19 and their families," said Tito in a written statement, Tuesday, March 24.

This group, he said, should be prioritized in order to maintain their health condition. This is because the role of health workers is the spearhead in tackling the spread of the virus.

Tito also reminded that regional heads must anticipate the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 when a mass rapid test is carried out. According to him, there is a possible risk of spreading when the rapid tests are held simultaneously.

"So the regional heads and regional health service officers really have to prevent crowds from occurring during the rapid test and equip themselves and the test site facilities with virus transmission prevention equipment such as wearing gloves, mouth masks and hand sanitizers," he said.

"Participants of the COVID-19 rapid test must maintain a safe distance from each other while waiting their turn," said the former National Police Chief, adding that the safe distance between people waiting for their turn to test for COVID-19 must be 1.5 meters.

A number of regions are preparing for a mass rapid test for COVID-19. One of the regions that will carry out a mass rapid test is West Java. West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said his readiness to hold the mass test, especially those with the status of people under surveillance (ODP) and patients under surveillance (PDP).

There are three mass tests that will be held in the region, namely in Bekasi City, Bekasi Regency, and Karawang Regency. This testing will be centered in the Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium area, Bekasi City. The fastest, said Ridwan, this test will be held on Wednesday, March 25.

"As an illustration, there are at least three entry points for the stadium. So he came to be tested in a tent. His blood samples were taken and then entered the waiting room area without having to get off the vehicle. For those who do not have a vehicle, the Head of the RW and Lurah is obliged to provide a vehicle," said Ridwan. .

Furthermore, the West Java Provincial Government also provides the Pakansari Stadium for residents of Bogor City / Regency and Depok City as the location for the rapid test. "The rest, at Jalak Harupat Stadium for other areas because the statistics are smaller," he said.

This rapid test, said Ridwan, the results will be known within 10 minutes. Later, if there are residents who test positive for COVID-19 from these results, the residents will be tested again with the PCR method, which samples come from mucus in the nose and throat.

"If he is negative, please go home. But if we test positive again by the PCR method, if it is really positive the team will take him to the hospital," he concluded.