Puskesmas In Bukittinggi Closed Because 10 Health Workers Positive For COVID-19

SMP 5 Bukittinggi, West Sumatra which was prepared as a COVID-19 health facility because the hospital was full in Bukittinggi. (PHOTO ANTARA/Alfatah)

BUKITTINGGI - As many as 10 health workers (nakes) at a health center in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra were exposed to COVID-19. The health center has to be temporarily closed.

Head of the Rasimah Ahmad Bukittinggi Health Center, Mailinda Irianti, said that the 10 health workers who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 had stopped all services for three days except for the emergency department (IGD).

"In addition to the 10 health workers who were exposed, generally other health workers are also constrained by fatigue because recently they have had to work overtime. There are five other people who are experiencing symptoms, we have coordinated with the head of the Health Office to temporarily stop the service," he said, quoted by Antara, Thursday, 24 February.

He said that emergency services for pregnant women and children under five should still be served despite the current shortage of health workers.

His party could not confirm where the transmission got from the health workers who are now undergoing self-isolation in their respective homes.

"Recently, all health workers have been busy traveling from schools or urban villages, we also make sure that health workers have worn full PPE, but it's still confirmed, especially Omicron, which is easy to spread," he said.

The Puskesmas in Bukittinggi, according to him, has also implemented strict protocols for patients and visitors who come to minimize the spread of the outbreak.

"We also provide free antigens here, our health workers have also had boosters, the lesson is to continue to appeal to residents to comply with health procedures because vaccines do not mean we are totally immune to disease," said Mailinda.

Meanwhile, data from the COVID-19 Center for the Bukittinggi City Health Office reported that there were 34 new confirmed cases.

The 12 people are in Guguak Panjang District, 16 people in Mandiangin Koto Selayan District and six others in Aur Birugo Tigo Baleh District.

The total number of cases from March 2020 to date has increased to 4,670 people, with details of 13 being treated, 197 people in self-isolation, 4,359 recovered or completed isolation and the death toll is 101 people.