The results of our field monitoring in Semarang showed the success of PPKM in suppressing COVID-19 casesJakarta (ANTARA) - Executive Office of the President (KSP) stated that community-level activity restrictions enforcement (PPKM) had reduced the number of COVID-19 patients at hospitals and health centers as well as patients undergoing self-isolation in Semarang, Central Java.
The KSP noted in a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday that the fact came to light during its verification process in Semarang,
"Healthcare workers in Semarang City, Central Java, reported that the PPKM policy since July 3 had a positive impact on reducing the number of COVID-19 patients," KSP Expert Staff Abraham Wirotomo remarked.
"The results of our field monitoring in Semarang showed the success of PPKM in suppressing COVID-19 cases. The pandemic curve is expected to continue to decline, so that economic activities will gradually return to normalcy,” Wirotomo noted.
Wirotomo reminded the public to follow health protocols despite the PPKM level being lowered.
"For those with moderate symptoms, now do not hesitate to go to the hospital, as sufficient beds are still available. This is to ensure that there are no incidents of patients being tended to too late by healthcare workers,” he emphasized.
He also appealed to the public to not stockpile medicines or medical oxygen.
"It is better to give it to those in need, because fighting COVID-19 entails a joint struggle put in by all elements of society," he stressed.
Head of the Pandanaran Health Center in Semarang Nur Dian Rakhmawati noted that reduced mobility of the community owing to PPKM enforcement had led to a decrease in the rate of COVID-19 transmission.
The health center claimed that there were 300 patients in self-isolation prior to PPKM. However, after the government’s imposition of PPKM in Java and Bali, the number of self-isolating patients declined to some 60.
The health center did not have adequate health facilities to treat COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms, she revealed.
Hence, Rakhmawati often referred COVID-19 patients to hospitals. She also admitted to being concerned over the steady stream of COVID-19 patients at health facilities, but they could not be handled due to limitations.
“My principle is that no self-isolating patient (monitored by the health center) should die. However, if their condition worsens, only the hospitals can treat them, although at that time, all hospitals were full,” Rakhmawati stated.
A surge in the number of COVID-19 patients also occurred at the KRMT Wongsonegoro Regional General Hospital (RSWN), Semarang, before the government enforced PPKM.
Yet during a visit to the hospital, the KSP team claimed to not have found any patients queuing up.
“Emergency PPKM helped us in providing treatment. The number of patients gradually decreased. Currently, there are 182 COVID-19 patients, from 528 patients in early July 2021," Director of RSWN, Dr. Susi Herawati, stated.
When a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases occurred from mid-June to early July 2021, the hospital management converted nearly 80 percent of its beds to handle COVID-19 patients, specifically 528 beds in the inpatient rooms and 45 beds in the ICU.
The occupancy rate of the RSWN's emergency unit was often high until there was no space left.
"At that time, we immediately turned the general ward into a place for COVID-19 handling, so that emergency room patients could be immediately transferred to the ward for further treatment," Herawati recalled.
KSP and some COVID-19 patients lauded RSWN's initiative to rent an iso tank truck to meet the demand for 16 tons of medical oxygen.
"They breathed a sigh of relief because the presence of a truck containing oxygen supplies means no more COVID-19 patients will die from a lack of oxygen," Head of the Nursing Section of the RSWN Philip Purwo Rahyono remarked.
The KSP team monitored the availability of medical oxygen and supplies of vaccines and COVID-19 therapeutic drugs for the public in Semarang. Based on the monitoring results, the number of COVID-19 therapeutic drugs was still sufficient.
Moreover, the supply of oxygen in the last three days was also sufficient.
"However, COVID-19 vaccines, in short supply, is a matter of concern and the supply of vaccines from Jakarta is highly expected," the KSP pointed out.
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Translator: Indra A P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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