BPK Never Becomes a Cluster of Covid-19
Jakarta, Friday (19 June 2020) – Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK) never becomes a cluster of COVID-19. This is emphasized by BPK Chairman, Agung Firman Sampurna during pers conference held both actual in the BPK Head Office and virtually through video conference in Jakarta, today (19/06).
BPK Chairman explains that Directorate General of Audit I in cooperation with National Intelligence Agency (BIN) had carried out Rapid Test on Thursday, 18 June 2020. The test was initially targeted for 200 staffs of the Directorate General of Audit I. Since BIN took an initiative to bring 1,000 Rapid Test Kits and as to take advantage of the considerable amount of kits, the test then was not only intended for staffs of the Directorate General of Audit I but also for all staffs of the Head Office who voluntarily wanted to take the test.
Given such opportunity raised high enthusiasm, the participants increased from 200 to 858 people. The enthusiasm made long queues though maintaining a physical distance of 1-1,5 meters and wearing masks. From the rapid tests, it was initially found out that 841 staffs have tested negative for the COVID-19, while other 17 staffs have tested positive. Those 17 staffs were to undergo further screening by PCR tests using swabs. The PCR then shows negative results for the COVID-19.
As an information, rapid test is a preliminary screening method to detect antibodies, namely IgG and IgM which are produced by body to fight the Corona virus. These antibodies will be formed by the body when there is an exposure to the Corona virus. In other words, this is an indirect detection method, assuming that if the antibodies increase, there is a suspicion that the person’s body has been exposed or entered by the Corona virus.
However, it is important to note that the formation of antibodies takes times, even up to several weeks. This is what can cause the accuracy of rapid test is quite low. Therefore, the rapid test here is only a screening or screening test, not an examination to diagnose the infection of Corona virus or COVID-19. Tests that are able to determine whether a person is positively infected by Corona virus is by taking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening. It can directly detect the existence of Corona virus, not through the presence of absence of antibodies against the virus.
BPK performs COVID-19 rapid test in cooperation with National Intelligence Agency (BIN). The test is a preventive measure to cut the spread of COVID-19 and a risk anticipation measure within BPK environment. The result then confirms the effectiveness of health protocol enforcement in BPK.
BPK has enforced a very strict health protocol as an integrated part of its governance. This also supports President’s policy which has established a state of health emergencies. BPK has effectively succeed in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in its working environment. BPK is now ready and has started working procedure with new normal order.
Bureau of Public Relations and International Cooperation