"We, along with the national defense force and police force, are strictly monitoring the public suspected (of having contracted COVID-19) and having come in close contact with COVID-19 patients," Secretary of the Bangka Belitung Islands COVID-19 Task Force Mikron Antariksa stated in Pangkalpinang on Tuesday.
Based on the latest data, 22,059 people were suspected of having contracted COVID-19, while some 46,526 people had come in close contact with COVID-19 patients, whereas there were 33 unconfirmed cases, and 37 cases of people that had died across Pangkalpinang City, and the districts of Bangka, West Bangka, Central Bangka, South Bangka, Belitung, and East Belitung.
"People with suspected status are monitored closely. Do not allow this COVID-19 case spike to recur due to weak supervision of suspected people and close contact with patients exposed to coronavirus," he emphasized.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday (Aug 23) reached 191, comprising 33 from Pangkalpinang City, 17 from Bangka, 24 from Central Bangka, 13 from South Bangka, five from West Bangka, 41 from Belitung, and 58 from East Belitung.
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Some 519 COVID-19 recoveries comprised 115 from Pangkalpinang City, 90 from Bangka, 12 from Central Bangka, 109 from South Bangka, 48 from West Bangka, 66 from Belitung, and 79 from East Belitung. In addition, 19 patients succumbed to the disease.
"Thank God, in the last week, the number of confirmed positive cases had declined, while the number of patients that made a recovery increased," he informed.
In a bid to suppress transmission of this virus, local governments had increased the capacity of COVID-19 hospital services, logistics, and human resources for handling the pandemic in each district or city, he stated.
Moreover, they ensured the availability of oxygen by dispatching the Oxygen Task Force, expediting the distribution of free medications and supplements for patients, and increasing the tracing and testing capacity by dispatching the Tracing and Tracking Task Force.
"The entire community should actively participate to protect themselves, their families, and the environment by implementing strict health protocols and conducting mass vaccination programs by sending the Vaccine Task Force," he added.
Related news: Three districts in Bangka Belitung get 7,000 COVID test kits
Translator: Aprionis, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
