"During this period, wet hydrometeorological disasters remained dominated," BNPB spokesman Abdul Muhari noted a statement here, Saturday.
The natural disasters comprised 733 events of flooding, 475 incidents of extreme weather, 342 incidents of landslides, 205 incidents of forest and land fires, 23 earthquakes, 22 incidents of tidal waves and abrasion, and five incidents of drought.
The disasters led to 508 deaths, 69 going missing, 12,881 suffering injuries, and 5.8 million people being displaced.
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In non-natural disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the country had recorded a total of 4,089,801 confirmed cases, while the daily case tally stood at 10,534 as of August 31, 2021.
"The total recovery count reached 3,760,497, with 16,781 daily recoveries," he noted.
During the implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) from early July to early September 2021, the number of positive cases fell by a difference of up to minus 8.18 percent, while the cure rate rose by 7.57 percent.
Following an increase in the recovery rate, the percentage of occupied isolation beds nationwide decreased by a difference of up to minus 52 percent.
"The government has outlined the concept of bringing COVID-19 under control wherein the target is to turn the pandemic into an endemic," he stated.
He said the concept applies the 3M strategy of maintaining distance, wearing masks, and washing hands as well as the 3T strategy of testing, tracing, and treatment to expand the reach of the vaccination program until the pandemic target becomes endemic.
“People are, of course, expected to remain disciplined in adhering to 3M and to get vaccinated. It is like using an umbrella when it rains. Of course, an umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it can protect some of our bodies from being exposed to the rain,” he remarked while referring to the vaccination.
The implementation of health protocols and vaccinations cannot guarantee that they can eradicate the pandemic.
"However, health protocols and vaccinations can protect us from potential exposure and worsening of condition if exposed," he noted.
Related news: Health ministry to focus on controlling COVID transmission in 2022
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
