COVID-19 Cases In Papua PON Become 83 Cases, The Most Are Judo And Roller Skate Athletes

Athletes of the East Kalimantan women's roller skates in the Jayapura Red Bridge area during the 2021 PON XX Papua in Jayapura (Photo: PB PON XX PAPUA/Dadang Tri)

JAKARTA - The number of positive cases of COVID-19 at the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) continues to grow. Now there are a total of 83 positive cases and 72 percent of them come from athletes.

"The evaluation of the implementation of the Papua PON, as of October 10, updated by the Minister of Health (Budi Gunadi Sadikin) around 83 and up to yesterday there were 65 who were confirmed positive. Athletes 72 percent; official 23 percent; coach 1.5 percent; referee 1.5 percent and there are journalists who cover," said Chairman of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN), Airlangga Hartarto at a press conference, Monday, October 11.

Airlangga said the positivity rate itself was 1.45 percent. These cases were found in all cities, starting from Jayapura, Jayapura Regency, Mimika, Merauke.

Furthermore, Airlangga said that a large number of athletes who were confirmed to have COVID-19 were judo and roller skating with a total of 9 athletes. Then, the sports of motocross, archery, and cricket with a total of 7 athletes.

"The others are between four, two, and one," he explained.

Airlangga said that the government was pushing for the athlete's return mechanism to be improved. The mechanism for the return of athletes and officials that has been determined by the Government is that they must carry out PCR tests from departure (before the flight) from Papua, and carry out PCR tests again after arriving at the airport in their area.

"Regarding quarantine procedures, a centralized quarantine will be carried out after arriving in their respective regions. Of course, before returning home, PCR will be carried out and if positive, they will be treated in Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke for 5 days. Therefore, the Health Office and the existing isoters will continue to be carried out until h + 5," he explained.

In addition, Airlangga requested that the athletes' destination areas be asked to prepare isoters in their respective areas for 5 days.

"Later, PCR will be carried out on the first and fourth days. The mechanism for returning, testing and quarantine costs is borne by the Regional Government and the regional COVID-19 Task Force. Already 30 percent of athletes have returned to their respective regions," he said.