We learnt of the news after conducting massive swab testing on September 18 and 21.Sidoarjo, E Java (ANTARA) - Some 47 inmates of the Surabaya class I correctional facility in East Java's Sidoarjo District were immediately moved to isolation and treatment rooms after contracting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection.
Chief of the correctional facility Gun Gun Gunawan confirmed here on Friday of having instructed his subordinates testing positive for COVID-19 to undergo self-isolation.
"We learnt of the news after conducting massive swab testing on September 18 and 21," he revealed.
Examinations were conducted of 400 specimens from the inmates and officers of the correctional facility to confirm whether they had contracted the virus, he stated.
"This (activity) is part of the contact-tracing efforts we have conducted after several inmates, who had tested positive for COVID-19, were declared free from the virus," he remarked.
In fact, the correctional facility had merely received an oral notice rather than an official one from the laboratory of Dr. Soetomo Regional General Hospital detailing the results of massive swab testing, he explained.
However, the correctional facility must act swiftly to curtail the spread of COVID-19, he stated.
"We have learnt from past experience and make every effort to provide the best health services to inmates of our correctional facility. Their safety is our priority," he remarked.
All inmates declared positive for COVID-19 are in good health and none are exhibiting symptoms, such as cough, fever, or other characteristics of COVID-19, he confirmed. Related news: COVID-19: 22 inmates test positive in W Sumatra's Pariaman City
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Translator: Indra Setiawan/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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