PALANGKA RAYA – PROTOCOL AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATION BUREAU. Central Kalimantan Provincial Government is optimistic in facing Covid-19 (Corona Virus) which is currently endemic not only in Indonesia, but also in almost all major countries in the world. In a Press Release on Thursday afternoon (2/4/2020), the Chairman of Central Kalimantan Task Force for Acceleration of Handling Covid-19, Leonard S. Ampung, representing Central Kalimantan Provincial Government expressed his positive belief towards these current problems. “There are already recovered Covid-19 patients, this proves that Covid-19 can be handled together. So just trust our medical team and the health protocol that we are working hard together to conquer Covid-19,” Leonard said optimistically.

Based on the data of Covid-19 Patient in Central Kalimantan Task Force for Acceleration of Handling Covid-19 as of today, Thursday (2/4/2020) mentioned a total of 10 positive cases with details, namely patients in the care of 8 people and 2 people were stated cured. Until now, there has no patient died from Covid-19.

It was also mentioned in the Press Release that total People under Monitoring in Central Kalimantan up to now are 652 people. This number got an increase of 44 people where on Wednesday (1/4/2020) which was yesterday that total People under Monitoring were still 608 people. Most People under Monitoring are in Palangka Raya with 197 people, then in the second place is in West Kotawaringin Regency with 129 people.

The total Patients under Monitoring in Central Kalimantan got an increase of 6 people. Initially the total Patients under Monitoring were still 34 people, now the total are 40 people. The progress of Patients under Monitoring distribution based on referral hospitals, 33 people (increasing 5) are in Doris Sylvanus Hospital, Palangka Raya; 5 people (still)  are in Sultan Imanuddin Hospital, Pangkalan Bun West Kotawaringin; 1 person (still) is in Jaraga Sasameh Hospital, Buntok South Barito; and 1 person (increasing) is in dr. Murjani Hospital Sampit, Kotawaringin Timur. “The condition of the Covid-19 patients is still stabilized,” Leonard said.

He explained that the increase in cases of Covid-19 was the result of tracing to people who had contact with positive patients of Covid-19. “At present there is a possibility that a local transmission has occurred, but for a decision whether a local transmission has occurred, it needs to be proven with tracing data. While the field tracing is still being done so the data is still changing frequently and is currently being calculated and analyzed from the results of the tracing,” he added.

Leonard also revealed that the steps taken by the Central Kalimantan Task Force for Acceleration of Handling Covid-19 to prevent local transmission are to socialize social distancing and physical distancing; the use of masks for people; to spray disinfectants in public places, settlements and offices; then to do self-quarantine for asymptomatic People under Monitoring; to provide a place to wash hands in public places, offices, schools, houses of worship, and others.

“In Central Kalimantan, the quarantine currently has been prepared for People under Monitoring, namely at Dandang Tingang Hotel, Palangka Raya. While for Patients under Monitoring will be centered in Bapelkes of Central Kalimantan. The Central Kalimantan Provincial Government will provide assistance for both People under Monitoring and Patients under Monitoring in form of daily basic needs, and it is currently in the process of identification and inventory,” Leonard said.

Meanwhile, on the same occasion, the Deputy Chairman of Central Kalimantan Task Force for Acceleration of Handling Covid-19, Suyuti Syamsul said that Governor of Central Kalimantan H. Sugianto Sabran along with all Central Kalimantan Regional Apparatuses are in synergy with the Mayor of Palangka Raya as well as Indonesian Armed Force and Indonesian Police to immediately address and prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“There are several things that he requested, including the strict restrictions on access to Palangka Raya, setting up a social rescue network for people affected by these tightening and limiting policies,” he said. Central Kalimantan Governor H. Sugianto Sabran also ordered that an Emergency Hospital be prepared which is referred to as an extension of Doris Sylvanus Hospital. “Observing the epidemiological development where there is an increase in the number of Patients under Monitoring, Governor asked to prepare quarantine for Patients under Monitoring if needed.  We have prepared Bapelkes, the second alternative is BPSDM hostel. The Hajj Dormitory is also prepared if the People under Monitoring must be collected in one place. For medical personnel, a suitable lodging place has been prepared in accordance with the Governor’s direction,” Suyuti explained.

Suyuti also said that responsibility for tracking cases was in the district / city because not all contacts were People under Monitoring and samples were taken. “80% of people affected by Covid-19 do not cause any symptoms, only 20% will cause symptoms and later become Patients under Monitoring. For this reason, the best way to cut off transmission is to stay at home because this virus has to be attached to human. If humans do not move / move out of the house for 14 days then this virus will die by itself,” he said.

He also stated that almost all of the deads had triggers such as old age and other comorbidities that could also cause death. Central Kalimantan Provincial Government through the Task Force for Acceleration of Handling Covid-19 again reminded people of Bumi Tambun Bungai to continue to do social distancing and physical distancing in an effort to avoid the spread of corona virus to be even more widely; keep the body clean by regularly washing hands, bathing, and changing clothes when getting home; behave properly when coughing; and maintain health by taking vitamins and getting enough rest. “The use of masks will be effective if it is balanced by washing hands,” concluded Suyuti. (win/renn/translated by feb)