"Random testing will be prioritized for areas where cases of Omicron were earlier found. We will not test all residents in all areas, and it will be random testing," Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi stated at the Surabaya City Hall on Friday.
Cahyadi said his administration is still deliberating on the plan with the Surabaya Health Service regarding the randomized swab schedule in the city.
"Whether the residents are healthy or sick, we will conduct random swab tests on them," he stated.
Related news: Surabaya to boost surveillance amid spread of Omicron
Apart from conducting random swab tests to prevent a spike in Omicron cases, the mayor also encouraged the community to strengthen the movement called Kampung Tangguh Task Force. This preventive measure is being taken to control the entry and exit of residents from outside.
"The Kampung Tangguh Task Force aims to protect the residence. Residents entering the residence must be willing to be tested," Cahyadi explained.
However, Cahyadi did not prohibit his citizens from traveling outside the city for important matters. The mayor also reminded the residents to always implement health protocols.
"If they need to go out of town, please always wear masks and implement other health protocols to protect yourself and the people around you as well," Cahyadi emphasized.
The mayor explained that the Omicron patients in Surabaya were in good condition, with high CT values. In fact, the Omicron patients were declared asymptomatic, which means they did not experience any symptoms, which Cahyadi reasoned was due to the full dose of vaccination received by patients.
"That is why I remind all Surabaya residents to immediately receive the vaccination to avoid severe symptoms of COVID-19," he added.
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Translator: Abdul Hakim, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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