Encouraging People to Be Brave for Testing, Udayana OHCC Webinar Series 1 Emphasizes Readiness for Bali's Revival Partners

• Posted by: Admin
• Kamis, 1 Juli 2021
• Has been read 14 time(s)

Denpasar - The recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Bali has become an issue that needs immediate follow-up. Not all members of the community are playing an active role in the 3T efforts (Tracing, Testing, and Treatment). There is anxiety and fear within the community that hinders the achievement of testing targets to detect and respond to COVID-19 findings in Bali. To dispel these doubts, the Udayana University One Health Collaborating Center (Udayana OHCC) collaborated with Bincang-Bincang Medis to hold a webinar titled "Be Brave to Test Now: Brave Testing for a Ready-to-Rise Bali" via the Zoom Meeting application and broadcast live on the Bincang-Bincang Medis YouTube channel on Sunday, July 4, 2021.

The webinar featured two speakers: Dr. dr. Ni Nyoman Sri Budayanti, Sp.MK (K) as Chair of the Indonesian Society of Clinical Microbiology Specialists (Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Mikrobiologi Klinik Indonesia) for the Bali Nusra Branch, and Mr. Ida Bagus Purwa Sidemen, S.Ag., M.Si as the Executive Director of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali. The webinar became even more engaging as it was moderated by Dr. dr. Ni Wayan Eka Ciptasari, Sp.KK, who was the 2nd Runner Up of Puteri Indonesia 2001.

In her presentation, Dr. Sri conveyed that the rate of COVID-19 transmission can be overcome by implementing the 3M health protocols: wearing a mask, washing hands, and maintaining distance. Meanwhile, to understand the response to the infection status in an area, the 3T strategy is needed: Tracing, Testing, and Treatment. In testing, what is observed is the positivity rate, or the number of confirmed positive cases per number of people tested, expressed as a percentage.

Furthermore, Dr. Sri stated that one indicator of COVID-19 being under control is a positivity rate below 5%, according to WHO standards. She further explained that if there is one positive COVID-19 case, tracing should be conducted on more than 14 people to be categorized as good. However, in reality, tracing in the field is still very low, averaging only 5-7 people, due to public dishonesty when providing information to tracer officers. Seeing this condition, Dr. Sri hopes that the public will be honest with officers and be brave enough to get tested for COVID-19 if they have indeed been a close contact. "If we want to rise again, what must be done is: having received the second vaccine, being honest during contact tracing, being brave to test, being disciplined in self-isolation, and being disciplined in implementing the 3M health protocols," added Dr. Sri.

The next material, from the tourism perspective, began with a discussion on the current condition of tourism in Bali during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purwa repeatedly stated, "We cannot definitively defeat the pandemic condition; previously we were fighting against COVID-19, because we failed we then became friendly with COVID-19, and in the end, we must live together with COVID-19." Purwa also presented the CSHE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, Environment) certificate as a standard and certification for cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability in the tourism sector during the COVID-19 handling period. In line with Dr. Sri's presentation, Purwa also conveyed that the 3T movement must be carried out together by the Balinese people, starting from self-awareness, with the hope of gaining greater benefits and indirectly helping to prepare for Bali's Revival.

The participants were very enthusiastic in following this webinar. Various questions were asked by the participants, ranging from 3T, vaccine coverage, to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Bali. A replay of this webinar can be viewed on the Bincang-Bincang Medis YouTube channel. This was not just a single series; the webinar continues with Series 2, held on Sunday, July 11, 2021. Further information can be monitored on the Instagram accounts @UdayanaOHCC and @bincangbincangmedis.