Viral COVID-Positive Tap Water During Antigen Test, Task Force: Just Looking For Sensation

Head of the Riau Islands COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Tengku Said Arif Fadillah (Photo: ANTARA)

RIAU - The Riau Islands Province COVID-19 Handling Task Force denied that the tap water tested for antigen was positive for COVID-19. This is to answer the viral news shared by @capten.jacksparrow on social media.

Arif invites the public not to care about the video, because it is untrue information.

"Videos like that, especially those related to COVID-19, have circulated a lot. There is no need to respond," he said, accompanied by the former Riau Islands Health Office, Tjetjep Yudiana, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, June 2.

Arif added that videos like that often disturb the public and cause concern and distrust of the antigen test results. Whereas based on the results of health research, the level of antigen accuracy reaches 90 percent.

The 2.50 minute video is just looking for a sensation to watch. The more people who watch, the video uploaders on social media and YouTube will benefit.

"I myself avoid watching hoax videos. Let's together educate the public by presenting correct information," he said.

Arif, who is also the Regional Secretary of the Riau Islands, said that currently antigen tests are more widely used to speed up health services. Rapid antigen testing will also speed up health services to the community.

"If you wait for the results of the PCR test, it can take a long time, it could take up to a week. Therefore, the antigen test is used now to speed up the process of health services," he said.