Fifteen Medical Officers of Soekarno-Hatta Airport Allegedly Exposed to Omicron

TEMPO.CO, Tangerang - Soekarno-Hatta Airport COVID-19 task force commander Lt. Col. Agus Listiono said 15 medical officers at the international airport were suspected of being exposed to the Omicron variant. 

“Based on preliminary examinations, they are suspected of having been exposed to Omicron and have been taken care of by the Health Ministry’s team,” said Agus to Tempo, Monday, January 3.

Agus said they were 14 administrative officers and one swab officer of Farmalab laboratory. “At first, one officer at the front line was exposed [to the virus],” he said.

The other 13 officers were then infected with the variant of concern as they were living in the same mess facility. “Of the 19 officers living in one mess on Jalan Daan Mogot, 13 tested positive,” Agus added.

The 14 healthcare workers have been treated at the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital or Wisma Atlet.

Meanwhile, the other officer was a health worker from the I-laboratory. “[The person] is also an administrative staffer, but was immediately handled and didn't infect others,” said Agus, adding that the individual is now under treatment at Sulianto Saroso Hospital, Jakarta.

Agus ensured that the positive COVID-19 cases among the medical officers would not interfere with services at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. “They are immediately replaced with a team from Farmalab and I Lab who have tested negative.”

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JONIANSYAH HARDJONO