The various incidents in Kudus and Bangkalan that we do not want together are one of the examples of how (the local people) ignored the right health protocols.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Central Java’s Kudus district and East Java’s Bangkalan district is the result of public negligence in observing the health protocols, Vice Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono has said.



"The various incidents in Kudus and Bangkalan that we do not want together are one of the examples of how (the local people) ignored the right health protocols," he said during an online dialog originating from the KPOPEN Media Center in Jakarta on Thursday.



The COVID-19 infection rate in regions depends on the level of public mobility, and this has particularly been the case after the Eid al-Fitr holidays, he noted. It is possible similar surges could be seen in other regions in the country, he added.



The government is expecting COVID-19 cases in regions to increase in six to seven weeks due to public mobility, he disclosed.



"What happens in Kudus and Bangkalan is not only the responsibility of local governments, but also the central government and the public," Harbuwono said.



According to Kudus district head M Hartopo, coronavirus infections in the district have surged to nearly two thousand, well above the previous forecast of 200.



Ninety-six medical workers have been sent to Kudus district from other parts of Central Java province to help handle the major increase in COVID-19 cases.



The medical workers comprise five lung specialists, five internists, 38 general practitioners, and 48 nurses, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo told ANTARA on Tuesday.



Meanwhile, to help deal with the infection surge in Bangkalan, the Ministry of Health has sent 30 ventilators to the Syarifah Ambami Rato Ebu Hospital in the district.



"In addition to sending ventilators, we will also send health workers to help deal with the soaring COVID-19 infections in Bangkalan," Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said here on Tuesday.



Sadikin paid a visit to Bangkalan to review pandemic-handling measures, which have been intensified by the Bangkalan COVID-19 Task Force after a drastic spike in cases following the long Eid al-Fitr holidays.


Related news: Govt examining samples of COVID-19 new variants in Kudus, Bangkalan

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Data from Bangkalan district head Abdul Latif Amin Imron indicates that the number of new confirmed coronavirus cases reached 322 in the period from April 10 to June 7, 2021, with at least 34 people succumbing to the virus.



The highest number of COVID-19 infections were reported in four sub-districts: Arosbaya, Klampis, Geger, and Bangkalan. (INE)


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EDITED BY INE



Translator: Andi Firdaus/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021