In spite of no cases, the people should continue to abide by health protocols
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Despite no COVID-19 cases recorded in North Sulawesi's Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Islands District, health protocols continue to be followed in the area to keep the COVID-19 pandemic at bay, District Head Evangelian Sasingen stated.

"In spite of no cases, the people should continue to abide by health protocols. There should be no room for negligence in conducting daily activities. Health protocols must still be applied," District Head of Sitaro, Evangelian Sasingen, emphasized during a discussion held by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force in Jakarta, Thursday.

The application of health protocols, encompassing wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining distance, promoted as the 3M, is especially important in crowded areas. Although most community activities in the district cover farming and fishing, the 3M protocols are still followed.

The district head explained that the people are urged to continue to practice health protocols, especially wearing masks, when they are outdoors or indoors when they are unwell.

Despite no active cases of COVID-19 currently, the region's first positive case was reported at the end of May 2020 and was linked to a market cluster. At the time, the local government had promptly acted to shut down the market for sterilization.

The local task force immediately conducted contact tracing in all urban communities (kelurahan) to avert further infection. Positive and reactive patients are accommodated in a halfway house for isolation whilst awaiting results from government-issued swab tests, with the local government bearing all patient costs.

"Hence, when we block all regions with positive infections, it no longer spreads and even until now," the regional head, who received the Disaster Risk Reduction Award from the National Disaster Management Agency, stated.

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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta/Aria
Editor: Sri Haryati
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