What is important for us is to continue with the health protocols.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The current Omicron tally in three provinces --Jakarta, Banten, and Bali-- is higher than the number of cases recorded during the Delta surge in June to August 2021, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said.

Jakarta's case count has now reached 15,800, which is higher than its Delta peak of 14,600, he informed at a virtual press conference on Monday.

Meanwhile, the number of cases in Banten has touched 14,800, surpassing its Delta peak of 13,900, he said.

Further, the number of Omicron cases in Bali has been recorded at two thousand, which is higher than the Delta peak of 1,900 cases, the minister added.

In the three provinces, patients undergoing treatment at hospitals are still accounting for 30–50 percent of the total daily cases, according to Sadikin.

"I urge the public to not panic over the high case count because it is important to understand that the number of cases will rise significantly," the minister said.

"The number of cases in other countries could reach 2–3 times higher than Delta. What is important for us is to continue with the health protocols," he added.

The goal is to reduce the number of patients entering hospitals and the death count, he underlined.

"It is also important for provinces with a rising number of cases to tighten the health protocols and restrict mobility," he said.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to raise the public activity restrictions (PPKM) level for Greater Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali, and Bandung to three.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, explained that the decision was made not just because of the rising case count, but also due to low tracing.

Moreover, Bali's status has been increased to PPKM Level 3 due to an increase in inpatients, he said.

"This is related to the decision that could be seen later with the Home Minister Instruction that will be issued today," he added.

"The government has conducted several adjustments with the Level Three regulations, with policies that are oriented more toward the elderly, people with comorbidities, and unvaccinated people," he informed.

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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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