Dozens Of Students Positive For COVID-19, Purbalingga Regent Stops Face-to-Face Learning

Regent of Purbalingga Dyah Hayuning Pratiwi/ANTARA

PURBALINGGA - The Regency Government (Pemkab) of Purbalingga, Central Java has temporarily suspended limited face-to-face learning activities (PTM). The district government evaluates the readiness of health protocols, following 90 positive COVID-19 students.

"For the time being, all limited PTM implementations will be suspended until further evaluation is carried out," said Purbalingga Regent Dyah Hayuning Pratiwi, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, September 21.

The regent said the decision was taken following 90 students of SMPN 4 Mrebet, Purbalingga Regency who are currently undergoing centralized isolation in the school building because their rapid antigen test results showed positive for COVID-19.

This condition was discovered after a mass antigen test activity was held by the local puskesmas team to support face-to-face learning.

"Based on the information we received, from about 300 students, it turned out that 90 of them had a positive antigen test result," he said.

The Regent said, related to this, his party would conduct a thorough evaluation and ensure the readiness of the health protocol before restarting limited PTM activities.

"Thus, it is hoped that it will minimize the potential or risk of transmitting COVID-19," he said.

The Regent added that so far his party had made strict rules for the implementation of limited PTM.

"For example, by carrying out mass antigen tests before the implementation of limited PTM, vaccinating teaching staff and also ensuring the readiness of implementing health protocols in schools," he said.

However, in the future it will make more detailed and stricter rules related to the implementation of PTM.

"Therefore, for further preparation, PTM activities are limited to being temporarily suspended, please be patient, keep the spirit to maintain health and discipline and the application of health protocols must continue to be strengthened," he said.

The Regent of Purbalingga said that at this time his party was continuing to take quick steps and coordinating with all relevant parties in order to deal with 90 students of SMPN 4 Mrebet whose antigen rapid test results showed positive.

"Of course we will take quick steps, we also direct the 90 children to undergo centralized isolation in the school building," he said.

The condition of these students is currently fine and asymptomatic.

"However, isolation is still being carried out to facilitate further handling, and the next PCR test will also be carried out on the 90 students. So later after the PCR test results come out, those with positive PCR test results will continue centralized isolation," he said.

The parents or guardians of the 90 students were asked to remain calm as their children remain under the close supervision of the health team.

"The Purbalingga COVID-19 Task Force Team has taken quick steps and prepared all facilities and infrastructure and optimal handling steps," he said.