The Papua Provincial COVID-19 Preventing and Handling Task Force (SGPP) has confirmed 29 new COVID-19 patients in the four clusters organizing the Papua National Sports Week (PON) XX are conducting self-isolation.
“The 29 people are conducting self-isolation at designated sites, including floating isolation centers aboard MV Tidar (Jayapura cluster) and MV Sirimau (Merauke cluster),” spokesperson for the task force, Dr. Silwanus Sumule, told ANTARA on Tuesday night.
The 29 people exposed to the coronavirus include athletes, officials, and members of the event’s organizing committee.
According to the SGPP, the first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported in the Timika cluster prior to the opening of the quadrennial multi-sport event.
Silwanus said 13 of the 29 new COVID-19 cases were detected in Timika, seven in Jayapura district, six in Jayapura city, and three in Merauke.
On average they showed mild to no symptoms, he added.
“They all have been vaccinated in their respective region before departing for Papua to join PON XX,” he said.
Because they were vaccinated, they showed no symptoms although they tested positive for coronavirus, spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, chief of the Jayapura City Health Office, Dr.Nyoman Antari, said the six PON XX athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19 comprise two from Jakarta, two from North Sumatra, one from East Nusa Tenggara, and one from East Kalimantan.
The PON XX is being held till October 15, 2021. At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are participating in the National Games, which is featuring as many as 37 sports.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the event at the Lukas Enembe Stadium, Sentani, Jayapura, Papua, on Saturday (October 2, 2021). (INE)

Source: Antara News