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Govt must watch for National Games virus cluster: Experts
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Lukas Enembe Stadium, formerly known as Papua Bangkit Stadium, is pictured in Jayapura regency, Papua. The province is hosting the 20th National Games (PON) this year. (Courtesy of Kemenparekraf/-)
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ocal authorities have recorded an uptick in COVID-19 cases during the 20th National Games (PON) in Papua, as experts call on the government to take additional measures to anticipate a potential influx of cases once the sporting event ends next week.
The games, which began on Oct. 2 after a year’s delay as a result of the pandemic and are set to end on Oct. 15, are taking place in a number of venues in and around Jayapura, as well as in the regencies of Mimika and Merauke. They will be followed by the National Paralympic Games from Nov. 2 to 15.
More than 7,000 athletes are participating in the quadrennial sporting competition, some of whom arrived a week before the Oct. 2 opening ceremony in Jayapura for preliminary matches.
Read also: High stakes PON begin in restive Papua
Papua COVID-19 task force spokesman Silwanus Sumule said that as of Thursday at 11:30 p.m. local time, the task force had recorded 57 cases in the area during the games. He added that none of the patients had exhibited severe symptoms and that many had asymptomatic or very mild cases.
Silwanus said the task force had prepared adequate healthcare facilities for the treatment of COVID-19 cases that emerged during the PON.
“What we can ensure is that if there are athletes who contract COIVD-19, the [Papua] task force, the provincial government and the PON committee will make sure that they get the best [healthcare] services,” said Silwanus on Friday.
