Suratmika explained that the patient had shown symptoms of the viral disease and had therefore undergone a swab test in Buleleng. While waiting for her test results, however, the patient had gone back to her hometown in Tabanan to attend a ngaben (Balinese cremation ritual) ceremony. She is now being treated at the Tabanan General Hospital. 

It isn’t immediately clear if the patient may have violated a protocol that should have kept her from traveling to her hometown, but authorities said they are now tracing her close contacts. 

The people who have been in contact with her are expected to self-quarantine, and those who show symptoms are expected to visit the nearest community health center (Puskesmas) or other health facilities, Suratmika said. 

As of this afternoon, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia surpassed the one thousand mark, with 1,046 in total. This includes 87 deaths and 46 recoveries. 

According to official data from the central government, there are no additional cases in Bali as of today. The province has so far confirmed nine COVID-19 cases, including two deaths of foreign nationals. 

Dewa Made Indra, regional secretary of Bali provincial government and head of the province’s COVID-19 task force, said on Wednesday that tests for the novel coronavirus are now being processed at Sanglah General Hospital. For weeks, COVID-19 tests have had to go through Jakarta. 

In addition, Indra said Bali began conducting rapid tests today for persons under monitoring and patients under observation.

Read more news and updates from Bali here.

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