2 Migrant Workers From East Java Exposed To COVID-19 New Mutation, Khofifah Asks People Not To Panic

UNSPLASH

SURABAYA - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said there are two Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) from East Java with a new mutation of the COVID-19 virus. But Khofifah ensured that both PMI received special and strict care.

"These migrant workers are handled in their own rooms with strict procedures," said Khofifah, in Surabaya, Monday, May 17.

Khofifah said the two PMI are from Jember and Sampang, Madura, respectively. Both were detected contracting the new mutation virus from the UK and South Africa.

Both are known to be exposed to COVID-19 mutations after undergoing checks at Surabaya Juanda Airport some time ago.

"Two East Java migrant workers contracted a new mutation coronavirus, one identified B117 which means a uk strain (UK), and another B1351 which means strain from South Africa," he said.

Currently, continued Khofifah, the two PMI undergo treatment in a special room and separated from other patients, at Indrapura Field Hospital (RSLI) Surabaya. Therefore, Khofifah asked the people who are being treated at RSLI Surabaya not to worry.

"They are in fairly strict care and supervision. So for other patients in RSLI do not have to worry," he said.

The government is currently continuously working to detect the new mutation COVID-19 virus by the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) method. So far there have been three variants of the virus detected in the country, namely B117 from England, B1351 from South Africa, and B1617 from India.