Many Residents In Riau Islands Are Still Stubborn, Refuse To Undergo PCR/antigen Despite Close Contact With COVID-19 Positive Patients

Health workers carry out PCR tests on visitors in the Lagoi tourist area, Bintan, Riau Islands (ANTARA)

TANJUNGPINANG - Head of the Riau Islands Province Health Service (Kepri) Mochammad Bisri said there were still many residents who did not want to be tested for COVID-19 when they had symptoms or had close contact with a confirmed positive patient.

"Many residents ran or obstructed the officers when they were about to do the COVID-19 PCR/Antigen testing," said Bisri in Tanjungpinang, Antara, Thursday, March 10.

In fact, said Bisri, the purpose of testing is so that health workers can check and track new cases of COVID-19, making it easier for officers to map the spread of the virus.

According to him, if a patient is exposed to COVID-19, then tracing and testing must be carried out targeting 15 close contacts. "In Indonesia, the formula applies to one positive patient for COVID-19, at least transmitting it to one other person," said Bisri.

Therefore, Bisri urges residents not to underestimate if they have symptoms or have had close contact with COVID-19 patients.

The public is asked to immediately report to health workers to undergo an anticipatory examination for exposure to COVID-19, so that the community helps the government in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

"Don't underestimate it because if you are positive even though you have no symptoms, you are worried that it will spread to your family at home. Especially if someone has a history of comorbidities, it will be very dangerous," he said.

Furthermore, Bisri conveyed the impact of the low number of residents participating in COVID-19 testing, triggering the Riau Islands to upgrade their status from PPKM level 2 to PPKM level 3, in line with the high daily cases in the last few weeks.

He conveyed the latest developments of active COVID-19 cases in Riau Islands as many as 2,408 people with a hospital BOR of 20.56 percent and a positivity rate of 8.39 percent.

In addition, Bisri again reminded the public to remain disciplined about health protocols because recently it is considered to be getting slack, especially regarding the use of masks in public places. "Health protocols must not be relaxed, because the pandemic is not over," he stressed.