"Continue to tighten the discipline of implementing the health protocols. At this time, it is very important to protect yourselves and others," Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, the task force's spokesperson, said at a press conference on the development of COVID-19 handling in Indonesia on Tuesday.
The number of weekly positive cases in Indonesia has increased for six consecutive days to remain above 1,000, he informed.
"Although this number is not high compared to the total population of Indonesia, with the number of cases, which, for the last two months, had been kept below 1,000, this is an alarm that needs to be watched out for," he said.
The number of weekly cases has increased by 105 percent to 7,587 cases this week from 3,688 cases the previous week, he added.
"This has also affected the number of active cases, which has also increased from 4,734 to 8,594 this week," he said.
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When positive and active cases increase, the number of deaths needs to be suppressed and the recovery percentage needs to be increased, he said.
"However, in the past week, there has been an increase in weekly deaths from 28 in the previous week to 44. Hence, it is necessary to immediately intensify mitigation efforts so that the death rate does not increase. On the other hand, the recovery rate must continue to be increased," he added.
To control the spread of COVID-19, testing is crucial so that new case findings can be handled immediately, he said.
The COVID-19 task force also reminded people of measures that need to be intensified to prevent an increase in cases.
The measures include early case detection through testing, protection of vulnerable groups through COVID-19 vaccination, intensive monitoring of patients, and application of the health protocols.
"The most important thing is to continue to be disciplined in wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining distance," Adisasmito said.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
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