Local residents are again requested to keep complying with the government's health protocols anytime they do outdoor activitiesJayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Papua COVID-19 task force has asked locals to remain vigilant as coronavirus infections have currently spread to 18 districts and cities in the province amid the continued threat posed by the Delta variant.
Six of the affected areas are located in Papua's mountainous regions in the districts of Jayawijaya, Lanny Jaya, Tolikara, Pegunungan Bintang, Paniai, and Puncak Jaya, task force spokesperson Silwanus Sumule informed.
Twelve other affected regions are Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Merauke, Boven Digul, Asmat, Mappi, Mimika, Biak Numfor, Supiori, Kepulauan Yapen, Nabire, and Keerom, he said.
On July 21, 2021, Papua added 570 COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections since the pandemic hit the province last year to 31,204, he said in a statement received by ANTARA on Saturday.
Of the total COVID-19 patients, 24,825 have fully recovered from the infection, 688 others have succumbed to the virus, while 5,691 remain hospitalized, Sumule informed.
"Local residents are again requested to keep complying with the government's health protocols anytime they do outdoor activities," he said.
Amid the alarming trend in infections, the Papua administration has asked residents to be prepared for a month-long lockdown in August, 2021 after the micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro) end on July 25.
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During the lockdown, all entry points to Papua province would be closed to curb an exponential increase in COVID-19 infections in communities, spokesperson for the Papua governor, Muhammad Rifai Darus, said earlier.
The detailed rules of the lockdown, which would entail the closure of airports and seaports from August 1 to August 31, 2021, were deliberated at the Papua COVID-19 Task Force's meeting on July 21, 2021, he informed.
On July 19, 2021, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe along with his counterparts from all over Indonesia held a virtual meeting with President Joko Widodo to discuss the country's COVID-19 pandemic situation, he said.
Following the meeting with President Widodo, Governor Enembe initiated a meeting with his subordinates to discuss Papua's COVID-19 pandemic situation, he added.
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Enembe also issued a letter, No.440/7736/SET, notifying the enforcement of PPKM Mikro until July 25, 2021, Darus said.
The Papua administration has been regularly evaluating the enforcement of the PPKM Mikro, but the governor has instructed all authorities to intensify coordinated COVID-19 mitigation efforts, he added.
Papua will host this year's PON National Games, which are scheduled to take place in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke from October 2 to October 15, 2021, as well as the National Para Games (Peparnas) that will be held from November 2 to November 15.
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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