To this end, officials of the Papua Communication and Informatics Office (Diskominfo) had met with their counterparts from the Health Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday, Head of Diskominfo-Papua Office Jeri A. Yudianto confirmed.
Integrating the mobile apps is aimed at helping authorities trace and track COVID-19 cases in communities during the convening of the two multisport events, Yudianto noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted on Thursday.
Yudianto projects the PON and Peparnas mobile app to be integrated into the Health Ministry's PeduliLindungi App by the third week of August 2021 at the latest.
By having the integrated app prior to the convening of the PON National Games' delegation registration meeting, the authorities' COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts could be optimized, he emphasized.
Papua has come under the spotlight of Indonesia's media outlets, as it is scheduled to host this year's PON National Games and Peparnas.
The PON National Games will be held in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke on Oct 2-15, while Peparnas will be held on Nov 2-15.
At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are expected to participate in Papua's PON National Games that will feature 37 events.
Meanwhile, 1,935 athletes and 740 officials will take part in the National Para Games in Jayapura City and Jayapura District, which will feature 12 events.
To ensure the safety of athletes and officials participating in the PON National Games and National Para Games, President Joko Widodo has urged the concerned agencies to inoculate all athletes.
The head of state has also instructed that local residents living in proximity to all venues of the sporting events and athletes' villages be vaccinated, according to Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali.
Over the past few weeks, Papua has been grappling to cope with a drastic rise in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, with the Delta variant of the coronavirus starting to tighten its grip on the province.
Cases of the more contagious and transmissible Delta variant in Merauke District were confirmed quite recently by the Health Ministry's Health Research and Development Agency (Litbangkes).
The Merauke COVID-19 task force spokesperson, Neville Maskita, had stated on July 20, 2021, that cases of the Delta variant were confirmed based on laboratory tests of samples sent to the agency's laboratory.
"The Litbangkes announced on Monday evening (July 20, 2021) that the COVID-19 Delta variant had spread to Merauke, Papua, based on the lab test results of samples sent to the agency," Maskita noted.
On July 22, the task force recorded 421 COVID-19 cases, with most of the patients placed in self-isolation and 40 hospitalized at the Merauke public hospital.
To deal with a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the district, the task force has called on the Health Ministry to deliver more medical oxygen and ventilators.
"May the ministry meet our request," Maskita remarked.
Coronavirus infections have spread to 18 districts and cities across the province, according to the Papua COVID-19 task force.
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Translator: M.Ramdan, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
