Surabaya COVID-19 task force intensifies swab tests, vaccinations

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Surabaya COVID-19 Task Force anticipates a spike in COVID-19 cases after the 2022 Eid holiday by conducting swab tests and vaccinations in the city.

Head of the Surabaya City Health Service Nanik Sukristina remarked that the COVID-19 Task Force had continued to monitor the implementation of health protocols at various places, such as religious activities, the educational environment, industry, and public transportation services.

"We anticipate a spike in COVID-19 cases after the Eid holiday, especially in the family and community," Sukristina noted on Wednesday.

The monitoring and precautionary measures encompass implementing health procedures, using the PeduliLindungi application to access public places and public services and conducting regular active surveillance, especially in closed populations, such as workplaces, schools, hotels, and malls.

"The other measures entail the implementation of the assessment by the COVID-19 Task Force, optimization of the Wani Jogo Surabaya Village Program, the readiness of health facilities, availability of protective equipment, and preparations to ensure hospital bed capacity of more than 65 percent," she explained.

Moreover, to address a likely increase in active COVID-19 cases, the task force also strengthens public adherence to implementing health procedures, especially at public places.

"All these efforts are aimed at controlling the virus spread amid the high mobility in Surabaya during Eid holiday," Sukristina emphasized.

Hence, the Surabaya Health Service continues to intensify tracing, testing, and health care activities. The COVID-19 tracking activities will be conducted quickly, in less than 48 hours.

"We will conduct tracing for confirmed cases. To find these cases, we will conduct swab test on all close contacts at home, in the neighborhood, at work, and to places of entertainment visited and others," she stated.

The subsequent measure is boosting COVID-19 testing through conducting active surveillance activities and judicial operations for implementing health protocols, providing swab hunters and vaccine hunters, conducting mass swab testing in risky areas, blocking areas with identified active cases, and optimizing inoculation activities, especially booster vaccinations.

"We also conduct early detection by reminding residents travelling from other cities to report to the COVID-19 task force and conduct swab test at the nearest community health center," she emphasized. (*)