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COVID-19: Central Java tracking down 1,500 residents who attended Gowa gathering
On Wednesday, 16 residents of Brebes regency who had, in March, attended an international tabligh (Islamic mass gathering) in Gowa regency, South Sulawesi, tested positive for COVID-19.
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A medical worker conducts a COVID-19 rapid test on a member of Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic missionary movement, in Mojotengah, Central Java, on April 20. (Antara/Anis Efizudin)
T
he Central Java administration has formed a team to track down approximately 1,500 Central Java residents who attended a mass religious gathering in Gowa, South Sulawesi, following the emergence of a COVID-19 cluster in Brebes regency.
On Wednesday, 16 residents of Brebes who had, in March, attended an international tabligh (Islamic mass gathering) in Gowa regency, South Sulawesi, tested positive for COVID-19.
Several other cities and regencies in Central Java have reported that people who had participated in the gathering had contracted the virus.
”I’m afraid there will be a new COVID-19 cluster from the attendees of the Gowa gathering,” Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said on Thursday.
He called on residents who had attended the gathering to report to authorities for testing.
“Please help us by reporting to authorities. Don’t be afraid; we won’t scold you. Instead, we will treat you – if you are confirmed positive for the coronavirus – to protect your families and others from transmission [of the virus],” Ganjar said.
Ganjar has also asked the Tegal city administration to create its own special team because of the city’s proximity to Brebes.
He asked the community group Jogo Tonggo (neighbors looking after each other) to report if they found any of the gathering’s attendees in their records.
As of Thursday, Central Java had confirmed 904 cases of COVID-19 and 64 deaths. (aly)
