The increasing number of deaths is a reminder that although most patients are relatively recoverable, this virus is still a threat to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and patients with comorbiditiesJakarta (ANTARA) - Although most COVID-19 patients are recovering, the disease still poses a threat to vulnerable groups and people with comorbidities, spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito has said.
At a virtual press conference held here on Wednesday, he said the current increase in cases has not been followed by a rise in the number of deaths.
"But I always emphasize that one death counts as a life (snuffed). The increasing number of deaths is a reminder that although most patients are relatively recoverable, this virus is still a threat to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and patients with comorbidities," he stressed.
Since January 1, 2022, there has been a daily increase in new cases, with this week's increase being the largest, he noted.
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Adisasmito said that compared to early January 2022, positive cases per week have increased by a multiple of 40.
The addition of 16,021 daily cases on February 1, 2022, was higher than the daily count recorded during the first wave of COVID-19 in December 2020, he added.
Thus, the daily positivity rate from antigen and PCR examinations has reached 6 percent, or above the World Health Organization's standard, he pointed out.
The bed occupancy rate (BOR) is starting to increase in line with the increase in cases, with the average national BOR pegged at 13.89 percent as of January 30, 2022, he said. The highest BOR of 52 percent was reported in DKI Jakarta, he informed.
"This increase in positive cases should be a warning for all of us to reflect on the discipline of health protocols," Adisasmito remarked.
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As many as 4,970 COVID-19 patients are currently receiving treatment at the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital, Kemayoran, Jakarta, head of information for the Joint Regional Defense Command I, Marine Colonel Aris Mudian, stated earlier.
According to the statement, received here on Wednesday, the number of inpatients at the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital increased by 156 to reach 4,970 on Wednesday from 4,814 the previous day.
"The number of inpatients at the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital, Kemayoran, in Towers 4, 5, 6, and 7 as of Wednesday is 4,970. Earlier, on Tuesday, the figure was recorded at 4,814," Mudian said while providing an update on the situation at the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital on Wednesday.
In the previous week, on January 26, the number of inpatients at the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital had reached 2,946, he said. Hence, the number of inpatients has increased significantly in a week, he observed.
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Meanwhile, between March 23, 2020, and February 2, 2022, the total number of patients receiving treatment at the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital reached 141,428, he noted.
Of the 141,428 patients, 134,765 patients were declared recovered, 1,097 patients were referred to other hospitals, and 596 patients succumbed to the virus, he said.
Mudian also provided an update on Galang Island's Special Hospital for Infection (RSKI), Batam, Riau Islands.
"At the Galang Island Hospital, the number of inpatients increased by 13," he said.
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Translator: Prisca T, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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