Rapid Test at Kayen Tradisional Market, Two Traders are Reactive

Written by: Adha Tasya K.N.

Pati-The local government of Kayen district-Pati,  conducted a swab rapid test for traders at Kayen market on Monday, January 3 2022.

The rapid test was carried out due to the one of the traders who died from covid-19 in Friday, December 31 2021. Sunandar, an officer of the Covid 19 handling group stated; "We did a mass rapid test sampling. It aims to find out whether there is a potential for transmission in public places, such as in traditional markets and to avoid further spread due to the exposure of one of the traders" Furthermore, he appeals residents to stay aware and follow the health protocol because the COVID-19 pandemic is not completely over yet, added with the new variant of Omicron that has been found in Indonesia.

For the results of this mass test, 2 traders were declared reactive and will be subjected to further medical check up in RSUD Soewondo, Pati and are asked not to trade until the time for the secon rapid test. They were also instructed to do a self-isolation for 14 days. "The reactive ones, we ask them to do an independent isolation. Later on, we will carry out the second rapid to determine whether the person concerned has the potential to be infected or not. If the second is still reactive, then we will take the swab test" added another officer.

Even though the positive cases in Pati are decreasing with 0% daily case addition, local governments and the COVID-19 task force remain vigilant. Therefore, they moved quickly after getting know that one of the traders had tested positive and died. For further handling, the Kayen market will be temporarily closed for three days to be sterilized with disinfectant. 

Unfortunately, this rapid test activity did not run smoothly because many of the traders  already knew about it. Therefore, they became afraid and decided not to go to the market which is resulted to the number of the traders that is not as many as usual. In the future, the regional government plans to carry out routine rapid swap tests so that the results can be more optimal.