Govt adds two PCR for South Kalimantan to enhance COVID-19 handling

Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Chief of the National COVID-19 Task Force Doni Monardo said the Ministry of Health has provided two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines for South Kalimantan enhance the province's COVID-19 diagnostic capability.

The two equipments were handed over when three state officials, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy, Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto, and Chief of the National COVID-19 Task Force Doni Monardo visited South Kalimantan on Sunday.

PCR is a laboratory examination to detect genetic material from cells, bacteria, or viruses. At present, PCR is used to diagnose COVID-19.

Doni, who is also the head of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), said that South Kalimantan is currently lack of PCR specimen detection tool. Especially, the Health Ministry’s Environmental Health and Disease Control Centers (BBTKLPP) in Banjarbaru must also serve specimen examination from Central Kalimantan.

"To overcome the shortcoming, the Ministry of Health and the National COVID-19 Task Force have provided two unit of PCR equipment to increase the existing strength," he pointed out.

Beside, the central government will help its laboratory human resources by involving volunteers, such as students.

According to him, several laboratories in Indonesia have been able to work up to 18 hours, even the Andalas University of West Sumatra has been able to work fo r24 hours by involving students.

"So the number of specimens could be examined reaches 1.500 samples. This is an achievement that must be appreciated," he said.

If all regions and all parties can work in such a militant manner, it is hoped that the spread of COVID-19 cases can be reduced or even stopped.

The acceleration handling of specimen is very important, according to him, as an effort to prevent the transmission, considering 79 percent of virus spreading in South Kalimantan comes from people without symptoms (OTG).

Minister Muhadjir Effendy said, aside from Jakarta and Java, which become the epicneter of the the spread of COVID-19, there are currently three provinces get the central attention, because of the quite high increase of the cases, namely South Kalimantan, SouthSulawesi, and South Sumatra. 

On this occasion, the state officials handed over two PCR machines, 5 thousand PCR test, 5 thousand RNA test, 5 thousand VTN test, 6 thousand rapid test kits, 200 pieces of face shields, 25 thousand pieces of surgical masks, 3 thousand pieces of medical gloves, 3.500 PPE, 300 pieces of buffon cap, and 2 thousand pieces of N95 masks.
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