36 Army Officers Contract COVID-19 in West Papua

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As many as 36 members of the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) have contracted the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in West Papua Province.

Based on the results of medical laboratory examination, the 36 soldiers tested positive for the COVID-19, Arnoldus Tiniap, spokesman of the West Papua Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Response, said here on Saturday.

The soldiers were currently being quarantined in West Papua Public Hospital in Manokwari, he said.

The 36 fresh COVID-19 cases were discovered when the soldiers had to undergo health check up prior to their assignment in several regions in the province.

The 36 officers were part of 411 Army soldiers who have arrived in West Papua from various regions during the period of June 28 to July 2, 2020, for new assignment on Indonesia's eastern most island.

Prior to their departure for Manokwari, West Papua, the 411 soldiers had undergone COVID-19 tests in their places of origin.

Upon arriving in Manokwari, the 36 soldiers had to undergo medical tests again before being assigned to South Sorong, Maybrat and Tambrauw Districts. And it turned out that they tested positive for the COVID-19.

"We are working with the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Response in West Papua Province to conduct swab tests on all soldiers being assigned in West Papua. We are still waiting for the results for the other soldiers," he added.

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ANTARA