If the number of cases does not increase two or three weeks after Eid al-Fitr, we are upbeat about transitioning into the endemic phase soon.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has begun to transition from the pandemic to the endemic phase, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has said.
"In essence, (we have to) look at the active cases, positivity rate, hospital occupancy rate, and mortality rate (to determine the transition to the endemic phase)," he said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.
In fact, there has been no indication of COVID-19 being the leading cause of death among existing diseases, he said.
Based on an internal survey of 18 Jakarta hospitals by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture in February this year, COVID-19 is currently ranked 14th in terms of the mortality rate in the country.
"The biggest (cause of) deaths is cancer, followed by pneumonia, and non-specific pneumonia, while COVID-19 is ranked 14th. So, it does not pose a threat any longer," he informed.
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However, he appealed to the public to remain alert and exercise caution since there are still cases of COVID-19 transmission and deaths.
"But looking at several indicators, we have de facto transitioned to the endemic phase," he said.
A clearer picture of the transition from the pandemic to the endemic phase will emerge after the Eid al-Fitr holidays. If the number of cases does not increase significantly, then COVID-19 in Indonesia will soon become endemic, he said.
"If the number of cases does not increase two or three weeks after Eid al-Fitr, we are upbeat about transitioning into the endemic phase soon," he added.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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