The Causes Of Positive COVID-19 Cases In The Market Increase

Illustration (Angga Nugraha / VOI)

JAKARTA - In the past week, positive cases of COVID-19 by traditional market traders in Jakarta have increased. The reason is because the health protocol is not implemented optimally.

Airlangga University (Unair) epidemiologist Laura Navika Yamani said the implementation of health protocols in the market was still poor. Both sellers and buyers seem to ignore government regulations and recommendations regarding steps or efforts to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

"The implementation of the protocol in market activities is still seen that has not done both the seller and the buyer," Laura told VOI, Friday, June 19.

For example, maintain physical distance that is not done. Thus, the crowd in the market could not be avoided. From here it is easier for the virus to be transmitted.

Then, the emergence of positive cases in the market was also due to the government starting to target check-ups in hot spots for the spread of COVID-19. That way, positive cases began to be detected and the number was quite a lot.

"Investigations are carried out in areas prone to crowds including markets. So to screen for any positive cases that may exist," said Laura.

Laura emphasized that getting out of the pre-crisis period of COVID-19 does not mean changing the system or policy pattern of the government. However, it is more to be consistent in implementing health protocols.

The reason is that maintaining health and hygiene is the only way to prevent contracting COVID-19 at this time. Given, the drug or vaccine from this virus has not been found.

Apart from that, from the government side, continued Laura, it is important to monitor regularly closely. Because, with that the transmission or spread of COVID-19 can be controlled.

"This means that if the health protocol is implemented it will be able to suppress the transmission of COVID-19. I think it will still be a transitional period but it needs to be closely monitored so that a spike in cases does not occur," concluded Laura.

137 traditional market traders tested positive for COVID-19

Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Service, Widyastuti, previously said that as of Thursday 18 June, 137 market traders were infected with the corona virus.

These results are known from aggressive testing in a market environment using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. A total of 137 market traders who were confirmed positive were obtained from 1,198 traders examined in 18 traditional markets.

"Actually, if there is a confirmed case, from the start we have done tracing in the area in the market. For those who are currently aggressive during the easing period, there is a mapping of areas that are potentially vulnerable," Widyastuti told reporters, Thursday, June 18.

The details of the traders who have confirmed the most positive cases came from the Kramat Jati Central Market with a total of 49 people. Then, there were 18 traders at Perumnas Klender Market, 13 people at Tanah Abang Market, 14 people at Serdang Market, 14 people at Rawasari Market, and 9 people at Petojo Enclek Market.

Furthermore, tests at Pasar Minggu Market found 3 traders who were also positive for COVID-19, then Sabeni Market 3 people, 2 people in Kedip Market, 2 people in Thamrin City Market, 2 people in Timbul Market, Kartini Village.

Then, Grogol Market found 1 person infected with COVID-19, Pasar Puri Indah 1 person, Gedong Obor Market 1 person, Makasar Embrio Market 1 person, Koja Complex Market 1 person, Lenteng Agung Market 2 people, and Gondangdia Market 1 person.