130 Riders Passing Suramadu Positive For COVID-19, Now Isolating In Hospital

Rapid antigen for motorists crossing Suramadu to Surabaya (Surabaya City Government)

SURABAYA - The Surabaya City COVID-19 Task Force conducted an antigen swab on 15,524 motorists who crossed the Suramadu Bridge. The results were 316 reactive riders from the rapid antigen test.

"There are 316 positive antigens. Then we have 130 positive PCR swabs. Now, we evacuated 130 people to a field hospital. Some are in other hospitals as well", said the Head of the Surabaya City Health Office, Febria Rachmanita, in Surabaya, Friday, June 11th.

Her party has submitted the data on the results of this isolation to the East Java Health Office. This data is the number of residents outside Surabaya who are positive based on PCR swabs. Through this data, it will later become a reference for officers to carry out tracing.

"The data on the blockage has been sent to the provincial Health Office. Later, the tracing will be from the province and the area of origin. Unless they have families in Surabaya, we will trace them", she said

Based on the evaluation results, Febria said that currently, motorists who want to enter Surabaya are trying to avoid screening at the Suramadu Bridge. The trick, they crossed the Suramadu Bridge at midnight or early morning to avoid officers.

"They (riders) want to enter Surabaya at 01.00 WIB in the morning and above, because it is quiet, no one is passing by. Even though we (officers) are still there, and until 03.00 WIB this morning there were still many passing motorists", she said.

Therefore, Febria asserted, the current pattern of insulation must be changed. This is to anticipate the escape of motorists who will enter Surabaya. One way is to increase the number of officers in the field from midnight to early morning.

"This tactic must be changed. From 12.00 WIB to 06.00 WIB in the morning there must be more officers. We have adhered to those hours", she said.

In addition, Febria also reminded the public to be aware of the high mobility during the celebration of Eid al-Adha. To anticipate this, his party ensures that it will continue to intensify 3T steps, namely testing, tracing, and treatment. However, she also hopes that residents and local governments outside Surabaya will do the same.

"The steps here (Surabaya) and there (outside the area) health protocols must be strict, 3T must be massive. Number one, the community must obey. It can't only be done in Surabaya, this is big human mobility", she said.