Observers Call The Appearance Of The COVID-19 Spread Cluster In The Indonesian Army Because Of Underestimating The Situation

School of prospective officers (Secapa) of the Indonesian Army (Photo: TNI AD Website)

JAKARTA - Some time ago, the COVID-19 case became more massive along with the transmission in the Bandung Army Candidate Officer (Secapa) school and the Military Police Education Center (Pusdikpom) of the Indonesian Army in Cimahi. Even though the Indonesian Army opened the facts as widely as possible regarding the spread of COVID-19 in their environment, criticism emerged as a result of the incident.

Military observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS) Khairul Fahmi assessed that the incident of the spread of COVID-19 in the TNI AD environment gave the impression that they underestimated the situation and were too late to anticipate the potential transmission of the virus.

"Even though a number of epidemiologists and virologists have warned in advance of the magnitude of the potential threat (transmission of COVID-19, red) in the dormitory environment by reflecting on the bad situation that occurred in the case of the Diamond Princess cruise ship and a number of other large clusters," Fahmi told reporters. , Sunday, July 12th.

Even though he was critical, Fahmi gave his appreciation for the handling of the Secapa cluster and Pusdikpom TNI AD. He said, the TNI AD took the right policy by disclosing facts and explaining what steps it had taken to tackle the spread of this virus. He considered, when the TNI AD covered this problem, worse effects could occur.

Fahmi emphasized that the TNI and Polri should be able to ensure that units and personnel who go to the community must be aware of the conditions during this pandemic. During this pandemic, members of the TNI and Polri were deployed at a number of public facilities to remind the public to comply with health protocols.

Fahmi said that personnel who are involved in society must understand that they are in a vulnerable condition. Therefore it is important to protect oneself, colleagues, families and members of the community around them.

On the other hand, the presence of the TNI and Polri to monitor health protocols, according to Fahmi, will not have a positive impact, let alone hope that the community will comply continuously and sustainably.

"The involvement of (TNI and Polri, ed) is more visible as submission and threats. Not awareness," he said.

Accidental transmission of COVID-19

During a visit to Makodam III / Siliwangi, Bandung on Saturday, July 11, Army Chief of Staff General Andika Perkasa said that it was revealed that the occupants of Secapa AD who contracted COVID-19 happened by accident.

"So to be precise two weeks ago was the first report from the Army Officer Candidate School Commander to me. It started by accident," he said while explaining that this cluster was started by two student officers who were treated at the Dustira Hospital, Cimahi City.

"One complaint is because it can. Means a fever due to infection and the other is a spinal problem or HMP. But it turns out that when they were swab positive," he added.

After receiving a report regarding two student officers who tested positive for COVID-19, he immediately sent 1,250 rapid test kits from Jakarta. After the equipment arrived and tested, the results were 187 Secapa TNI AD students were declared reactive to COVID-19.

For these results, Andika asked all students to take a swab. To launch the test, he then sent VTM. "Then a swab test was carried out and from there it was finally found," he said.

Since the beginning of the case, it was found in Secapa, at least 30 residents have been treated at Dustira Hospital. Then on Saturday, July 11, the number of Secapa TNI AD residents remained 17 people. Of the 17 people, one person has tested negative for COVID-19. However, these patients need further treatment because they are diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Meanwhile 1,250 people who were exposed to COVID-19, are now continuing to undergo isolation. Of these, some have taken the second swab test. A total of 14 people tested negative and immediately separated from the others. Meanwhile, 296 other people are still waiting for the results of the examination.

Andika emphasized that the TNI AD continues to strive to stop the transmission of COVID-19 in the officer school area. He stated that not all school areas were included in the red zone.

"Of the 1,198 students they live in 29 barracks. It turns out that there are 207 students who live with those who are not infected. Those who are in one barracks day and night," he concluded.