Delta Variant Appears In Bengkulu, Governor Considers Emergency PPKM

JAKARTA - Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah said the Delta variant of the corona virus had been detected in the Bengkulu region. He also asked the Provincial COVID-19 Handling Task Force to intensify efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

"We will monitor the Delta variant closely. There are three that have been found and we really have to localize them," said Rohidin in Bengkulu, quoted by Antara, Sunday, July 18.

After finding three cases of transmission of the Delta variant of the corona virus, the Bengkulu Provincial Government considered proposing the implementation of emergency community activity restrictions (PPKM), especially in Bengkulu City.

In the Bengkulu region, a case of transmission of the Delta variant of the corona virus was detected on the crew of the MV Vishva Diksha from India which docked at the Baai Island port of Bengkulu on May 10, 2021.

According to the Head of the Bengkulu Provincial Health Office, Herwan Antoni, 10 crew members of the MV Vishva Diksha were confirmed to have COVID-19.

The results of the examination of specimens at the Bengkulu Province Regional Health Laboratory showed that three of the 10 crew members were infected with the Delta variant of the corona virus.

Herwan said the three crew members infected with the Delta variant of the corona virus had not made direct contact with residents of the Bengkulu Province.

"So they have no contact with anyone and they also did not get off the ship. But since they have been found, we will increase the search," said Herwan.

The Bengkulu Province COVID-19 Task Force noted that the cumulative number of Bengkulu Province residents infected with the corona virus was 14,001 people with details 10,785 people had recovered, 250 people died, and 2,966 people were still undergoing treatment or self-isolation.