"Until now, it cannot be concluded that there is an increase in positive cases and active cases in Indonesia, but several potentials have been identified," Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Prof. Wiku Adisasmito stated here on Tuesday.
Situations identified as being causal to the spike in cases include increased population dynamics, neglect of health protocols, and the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that had spread in Indonesia since June 6, 2022.
Adisasmito pressed to find the specific cause for the increase in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia at least in the next two to three weeks, so that the situation could be adeptly brought under control.
Moreover, epidemiological molecular surveillance by using a correct and systematic method was deemed necessary in order to pinpoint the cause behind the increase in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, he affirmed.
Recently, an increase in weekly cases of COVID-19 was reported, from 1,800 cases at the end of May 2022 to 3,600 cases last week. The number of active cases also surged, from 2,900 cases as of the end of May 2022 to 4,900 cases as of June 13, 2022.
However, the number of positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia, reaching 574 cases as of June 11, 2022, can be said to be lower than those reported in neighboring countries, with 1,709 cases in Malaysia, 2,474 cases in Thailand, 3,128 cases in Singapore, 8,582 cases in India, and 16,393 cases in Australia.
"Regardless of what causes the current increase in cases, what is important is mutual cooperation to once more suppress the rate of positive cases by all levels of society and the government from the national to regional levels," he stated.
Related news: Task Force identifies factors driving uptick in COVID-19 cases
The cheapest and easiest way was to adhere to health protocols in a disciplined manner again.
"(This is) because basically, rampant (dynamics) and the return to normal community activities will not result in an increase in cases if everyone involved is following health protocols responsibly, properly, and correctly. This includes the use of masks for everyone and diligent hand washing," he pointed out.
Caution must be exercised in daily activities, as the COVID-19 pandemic was still ongoing. "At any given point in time, we can still experience an increase in cases if we do not follow health protocols with discipline," he concluded.
Related news: Indonesia's Omicron subvariant tally touches 20: ministry
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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