Until now, the number of cases has started to increase, including among the group of senior citizens, which has a similar proportion.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono drew attention to COVID-19 cases tending to rise among the senior citizen group after the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
“Until now, the number of cases has started to increase, including among the group of senior citizens, which has a similar proportion,” Harbuwono stated during a press conference at the 2021 Senior Citizens Day held virtually here on Thursday.
The number of cases involving senior citizens increased since they were central components in the tradition followed to maintain relationships (silaturahmi) during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
According to the Health Ministry’s preliminary data, the number of cases had increased, averaging five to six thousand daily since Eid al-Fitr.
The health ministry has set a target to prepare the COVID-19 case peak report on the residents’ mobility during the post-Eid al-Fitr holiday that can be monitored by mid-June 2021.
Especially for senior citizens, preventive efforts, through either dissemination of information or education to the public, had been undertaken long before the Eid al-Fitr day, he pointed out.
“However, based on the groups or ages, we will evaluate later,” he noted.
Vaccination administered to senior citizens mirrored the government’s efforts to shield them from exposure to COVID-19 while following the tradition to maintain relationships, he highlighted.
“The number of cases is continually increasing, but we hope that several vaccinations running in some places would protect senior citizens and flatten the high death rate,” he remarked. Related news: COVID-19 vaccination still low among West Java's elderly populace
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Translator: Juwita Trisna Rahayu, Andi F
Editor: Suharto
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