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Surakarta deputy mayor tests positive for COVID-19, tested shortly after meeting Jokowi
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Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politicians Teguh Prakosa (left), Achmad Purnomo (center) and Gibran Rakabuming Raka (right) make a joint appearance after undergoing screening at the PDI-P headquarters in Central Jakarta on Feb 10. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he deputy mayor of Surakarta in Central Java, Achmad Purnomo, has contracted COVID-19, a city administration official has confirmed, as a swab test he took shortly after meeting President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in Jakarta has come back positive for the coronavirus.
City administration secretary Ahyani confirmed the test results, which came out on Thursday after the deputy mayor was tested last Saturday.
"[The deputy mayor is now in] self-isolation," Ahyani said as quoted by kompas.com on Friday.
Ahyani, who is also the head of Surakarta's COVID-19 task force, said the team would trace the deputy mayor's contacts to identify other individuals that might have been exposed to the disease.
On July 16, Achmad met with Jokowi at the State Palace in Central Jakarta, during which, the latter claimed, the two discussed the state and development of the city, which is the President's hometown.
The day after the meeting in Jakarta, Achmad took a swab sample to be tested for COVID-19 and the result came in negative. He then took another test the following day, which showed a positive result.
Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo said he would also take COVID-19 swab test after finding that Achmad had been infected.
Separately, Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono said Jokowi would immediately take the COVID-19 test following the announcement from Surakarta.
“The President and all of his aides routinely take swab tests. For the specific case relating to the Surakarta deputy mayor, I think he will take the test sooner than [usually scheduled] after hearing that [Achmad] has tested positive," Heru said on Friday.
He added that the Presidential Palace applied strict health protocols for all visitors and gave an assurance that the palace was “sterile”. (mfp/mrc)
