Our people are still stubborn. They do not believe that the mask can actually save them from COVID-19Jakarta (ANTARA) - Currently the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreads more quickly to children, Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Public Health Experts (IAKMI) Ede Surya Darmawan has said. "The Delta variant sticks more easily. Because of the strong sticking resistance, transmission is faster. This condition is easily contagious, especially in children," he said on the online dialogue "Know and Prevent New Variants of the COVID-19 Virus" here, Wednesday.
The variant is more quickly transmitted to children because it has properties that spread more quickly and have a longer staying power, he explained.
Based on recent research, the Delta variant can spread within a minute, when people pass by or talk to each other without wearing a mask, he revealed.
Head of the Sub-Sector Tracing for the COVID-19 Task Force (Satgas), Dr. Koesmedi Priharto spoke about the importance of people wearing masks to break the spread of COVID-19.
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“Our people are still stubborn. They do not believe that the mask can actually save them from COVID-19," he stated.
In addition to maintaining health protocols, people must continue to maintain their immune system well, either by taking vitamins or diligently exercising, so that the virus cannot develop in the body.
"Even if the virus has entered our respiratory tract, the virus will not grow because our immune system is strong," he said.
Three regions outside Java and Bali have witnessed an increasing trend in positive cases in the past three weeks, Head of the expert team of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, has said.
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"These provinces are dominated by the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi," he stated while delivering a report on the progress of handling COVID-19, Tuesday. His presentation was streamed via BNPB's YouTube channel.
Almost all provinces in Sumatra have registered an increase in COVID-19 cases over the past three weeks, except Riau Islands, which has shown a decline, according to Adisasmito.
Meanwhile, in Kalimantan, all provinces have recorded an increase in COVID-19 cases, except West Kalimantan, which has experienced a decline, he informed.
"In addition, on the island of Sulawesi, all provinces have also shown an increase for three weeks, except in Southeast Sulawesi and Gorontalo, which have experienced a decline," he added.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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