KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian government will identify more people with whom the Covid-19 patients have been in close contact in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The government will target up to 30 people in this contact tracing program. Currently, only five to 10 people are identified once an individual has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, in ushering the Lunar New Year Coordinating for Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy called for a low-key celebration to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the festive period.
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Covid-19: Indonesia to Identify More People in Contact Tracing Program
The Indonesian government will trace 20 to 30 people who have been in close contact with an individual who contracted the Covid-19, said an official on Wednesday, February 10.
Health Ministry's infectious diseases prevention director, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said currently the government is only conducting contact tracing of five to 10 people.
“Now we only identify five to 10 people with whom the Covid-19 patients have been in close contact. Going forward, it is hoped that at least 20 to 30 contacts can be traced in each confirmed case,” Nadia told a virtual press conference.
Nadia explained more massive contact tracing will focus on 98 regencies and cities that implement micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM). The plan is referring to the Home Affairs Minister Instruction No.3/2021.
The government hoped that the acceleration of contact tracing will identify more Covid-19 confirmed cases. Especially, the confirmed cases with no symptoms.