"Hence, if the (second) possibility were to be considered, then the decision to ease (community activity restrictions) should be implemented very carefully. Of course, it will be carried out in stages and be adjusted again from time to time if needed," he noted in an electronic message on Monday.
Aditama remarked that the easing of restrictions would lead to a rise in the number of cases, thereby resulting in an influx of COVID-19 patients again at hospitals.
"It is possible that with some additional easing, of course, the number of cases will consequently increase again, and hospitals would be full again," he noted.
Social restrictions on activities should also still be followed strictly.
A situational analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 28, 2021, deemed it necessary to extend PPKM level 4 to suppress the very high transmission, if it were still found to occur, through strict implementation of public health and social measures.
An increase in the number of cases was observed on August 1 as compared to that found on July 3, 2021. Some 30,768 cases were recorded on August 1, while the number of cases on July 3 had reached 27,913.
Related news: Papua to implement activity restrictions: task force head
On July 3, 2021, the positivity rate reached 25.2 percent, while according to PCR/TCM, the figure was recorded at 36.7 percent. This figure rose on August 1 to 27.3 percent and 52.8 percent based on PCR/TCM, respectively.
The WHO deems the situation to be under control if the positivity rate is below five percent.
Aditama pointed out that the situation would be more under control if the government were to continue to impose restrictions on community activities. However, this decision should be accompanied by guarantees of social assistance for all affected people.
"By continuing (the implementation of) PPKM, the situation that is starting to improve will be more under control and well-maintained, so that it does not escalate again," he affirmed.
The implementation of PPKM level 4 indicates an uncontrolled outbreak, with limited or inadequate healthcare sector's response capacities, thereby necessitating extensive efforts to avoid significant spikes in morbidity and mortality due to overwhelmed health services.
Aditama deemed it beneficial if each district and city had detailed data on the transmission of cases in their area, so that any decisions they would take were truly based on scientific data or an evidence-based decision-making process. Related news: Indonesia's deputy finance minister explains rationale behind PPKM
Translator: Lia W S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
