Indonesian Doctor Returns from Jakarta, Infects Three Medical Workers

PANGKALPINANG, KOMPAS.com – Three medical workers in Indonesia have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus after being infected by a doctor who traveled to Jakarta.

The medical staff members are based in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Island.

The individuals are three of 19 people who have been subjected to mandatory quarantine resulting from a positive Covid-19 test result.

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According to a statement by the Secretary of the Bangka Belitung Covid-19 Task Force, Mikron Antariksa, the three individuals work for a private hospital in Pangkalpinang.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test confirmed that the medical workers were carriers of the Covid-19 virus.

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A 60-year old doctor infected the medical workers who are around 30 years old.

“After one week of not having any new Covid-19 infections, we found 1 doctor that did test positive for the virus. Upon carrying out contact tracing, we discovered 3 new positive cases rounding out to a total of 4 medical workers who are Covid-19 positive,” explained Mikron.

Bangka Belitung has a total of 152 confirmed Covid-19 cases including its newest four cases.

As many as 19 people have been hospitalized, 2 have died, and 131 have recovered from the infectious virus in Bangka Belitung.

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Taking the lesson of the infected four individuals, Mikron stressed the importance of adhering to Covid-19 health protocols in the new normal.

He expressed how this development serves as a warning to locals. The Bangka Belitung Covid-19 Task Force is working to break the chain of transmission of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mass rapid testing has been conducted in addition to verifying offices that have abided to the established health protocols.