"The five health workers tested positive for COVID-19 based on the results of the Integrated Disease Diagnostic and Research Laboratory of the Medical Faculty of the University of Andalas in Padang that we received on the night of Tuesday (May 6)," Agam District Head Indra Catri stated here on Wednesday.
The five health workers comprising three medical personnel of the Baso Community Health Center, a midwife, and a laboratory worker will be referred to the Ahmad Mocktar Hospital (RSAM) in Bukittinggi for treatment.
"We refer the five officers on Wednesday (May 6) for further treatment," he noted.
Earlier, swab samples of 71 people were sent to the Integrated Diagnostic and Research Laboratory for Infectious Diseases at Andalas University's Medical Faculty in Padang for testing.
Of the 71 samples tested, five were positive for the virus, reports of 19 samples came negative, while the rest were inclusive of polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
"We are optimistic that the results of the remaining samples would come negative. Currently, Agam has nine COVID-19 positive patients," he noted.
The local authorities have planned to conduct more diagnostic tests on health workers in the region.
The Lubukbasung and Baso Health Community Centers were sterilized with disinfectant spray, while the families of the COVID-19 positive patients were quarantined.
Catri urged people infected with COVID-19 to not withhold critical information pertaining to their health condition in order to protect others.
"Those families that got exposed should not panic but instead give clear-cut information to officers and strive to lead a clean and healthy lifestyle as well as comply with the government's health protocols," Catri stated.
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Translator: Altas Maulana, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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