"We should not allow the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia to 'explode' again akin to what is occurring in the United States right now. We should not become complacent and neglect health protocols while presuming the COVID-19 pandemic would end in no time," House of Representatives' (DPR RI's) Commission IX member Handoyo stated in Jakarta, Tuesday.
Handoyo explained that despite the daily COVID-19 case count in the United States having declined to 11 thousand after the country achieved a vaccination coverage of 51 percent in June 2021, the daily cases of infection soared again by almost one thousand percent in August 2021.
"As we know, the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States surged by almost one thousand percent. It means the daily infection there rose to 160-200 thousand cases, from the earlier 11 thousand cases," he remarked.
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Handoyo pointed out that fluctuations in the daily infection rate in the United States was similar to what had transpired in Indonesia in June, when the country's healthcare system was on the brink of collapse, as cases surged, thereby placing exceeding burden on hospitals and leading to a scarcity of oxygen and medicines.
"Fortunately, the COVID-19 daily infection rate began to dip in Indonesia, yet we should remain vigilant despite the government having relaxed activity and mobility restrictions for now," he noted.
He urged the central government, regional authorities, public figures, and local COVID-19 task force officers to remain vigilant and remind others to abide by the health protocols.
Handoyo also drew the central government’s attention to the importance of improving the healthcare system to prevent a collapse and avert any shortages of medicine and oxygen supplies from occurring in future.
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Translator: Imam Budilaksono, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
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