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Want to take a rapid test in West Java? Know which category you belong to

The rapid test will be limited to those who meet certain criteria set by the West Java administration, as there are only around 10,000 test kits available.

Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post)
Bandung
Tue, March 24, 2020

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Want to take a rapid test in West Java? Know which category you belong to A smartphone user accesses the Pikobar application launched by the West Java administration on Friday. West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said the mobile app provided updates on COVID-19. (JP/Arya Dipa)

W

est Java Governor Ridwan Kamil is planning to hold massive rapid testing for COVID-19 in Bogor, Depok, Bekasi and some regions of Greater Bandung on Wednesday.

The rapid test will be limited to those who meet certain criteria set by the West Java administration, as there are only around 10,000 test kits available, according to the governor.

The administration has created three categories of residents eligible for the testing, which is set to take place at the Patriot Candrabaga Stadium in Bekasi, Pakan Sari Stadium in Bogor and Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung regency.

Category A comprises health workers at hospitals handling patients with the disease, persons and patients under surveillance, as well as the patients' family, neighbors and friends. Category B comprises people whose job exposes them to some social interaction and thus are prone to contracting the virus. Category C comprises people suspected of developing symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.

“Please tell the public that this massive test is not for everyone. This test is meant to trace the spread [of the virus],” Ridwan said in Bandung on Monday. “The test must refer to information from the healthcare facilities and not self-assessment.”

Indonesia recorded on Monday 65 new people with COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 579, according to the government's tracker covid19.go.id. The country has also reported 49 deaths. West Java, the second-hardest-hit province across the country, recorded 59 confirmed cases with nine deaths as of Monday.

The governor said the public should stay at home and self-isolate if they did not meet any criteria. “If you are healthy, you do not need to take the test, unless you are healthy but you meet the criteria of having had social interaction with a crowd,” said Ridwan.

The administration is planning to provide a drive-through service for the rapid test, which uses a blood sample.

Those belonging to Category A will also have to take the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at referral hospitals in their respective regions.

“While waiting for the drive-through test, regional leaders can perform this massive test on Category A residents in their respective regions,” said Ridwan.

The West Java administration is planning to ship the test kits to regions outside Bogor, Depok, Bekasi and Bandung, especially those with a high exposure to people with COVID-19.

The governor is also preparing the Patriot Candrabagha Stadium in Bekasi where the tests for categories B and C will take place for residents of Bekasi, Bekasi regency and Karawang regency.

“[There will be a separate test] for Bogor regency, Depok and Bogor city. The rest are planned to take place at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium for [residents of] Sukabumi, Cianjur, Cirebon and the others,” Ridwan added.

The West Java administration will issue the call for category B and C residents to take the rapid test through their respective regional administrations. The governor, therefore, has asked the regency and city administrations to use the West Java administration's mobile app Pikobar, which serves as a coronavirus information center, to collect their residents' data.

“After online registration, there will be a verification interview, and then a letter [on the test schedule] will be issued telling people when to come [for the test]. Thus, those coming for the drive-through test should wait for the letter,” said Ridwan.

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