Hundreds of HSU residents take swab test

Health personnel takes samples of the throat and nose glands of a resident in a mass free swab test at the HSU Health Office in Amuntai, Wednesday (Dec 29, 2020). (Antaranews Kalsel/Diskominfo HSU/Eddy A)

Amuntai, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Hundred of residents of North Hulu Sungai (HSU) took swab tests held for free by the local government.

The swab test which took place December 28-31, 2020 at the Health Office was attended by civil servants (PNS/ASN) and the general public.

"This mass swab test is free as an effort of the district government and the Task Force to cut the transmission of COVID-19, especially that the HSU government now has an RT PCR laboratory to directly check the results of the swab test," said Acting Head of HSU Health Agency Danu F Fotohena in Amuntai, Tuesday.

Danu said as many as 500 Virus Transport Medium (VTM) were prepared for the test. VTM is a tool for storing specimens from the swab test before being examined in the laboratory using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method.

The test activity, he explained, was part of the implementation of 3T, namely testing, tracing, and treatment.

Those who were positive were treated, by quarantine, either independently or provided by the local government. Those who have medical symptoms are handled by the district's Pambalah Batung General Hospital in Amuntai.

One resident, Madani, revealed the reason for taking the swab test was because he wanted to ensure his health condition to protect his family from being exposed to COVID-19.

"Thank you to the local government for providing free swab test for the community, so we can check ourselves," said Madani.

Head of Population Control and Family Planning Agency (DPPKB) Hj Anisah Rasyidah invited all employees and staff to take the swab test at the Health Agency.

Seeing the considerable enthusiasm of the people, Anisah hoped that the free swab test can be extended after the new year.

"The public has great awareness to maintain their health and their family from the possibility of being exposed to COVID-19, so the service is expected to be extended," said Anisah who is also the Chairperson of HSU's TP PKK.

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