PPKM enforcement aims to protect people against a possible surge in COVID-19 cases in the futureJakarta (ANTARA) - Continued enforcement of Public Activities Restrictions (PPKM) despite the declining COVID-19 case count is an instrument to protect residents against a likely surge in cases, national COVID-19 Handling Task Force spokesperson Professor Wiku Adisasmito stated.
"PPKM enforcement aims to protect people against a possible surge in COVID-19 cases in the future," Adisasmito noted here, Friday.
The government has been consistent in implementing the PPKM policy and adjusting the level according to the region's infection rate since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, he stated.
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The professor noted that the government will remain prudent and vigilant in facing the COVID-19 pandemic and make adjustments to activity restrictions.
Earlier, the recently enacted Home Affairs Minister Regulations No. 42 and No. 43 of 2022 directed the nationwide level 1 PPKM enforcement until October 3, 2022. Inputs from experts and the current national COVID-19 positivity rate were taken into account in the decision to continue with level 1 PPKM.
According to the Health Ministry's data as of September 20, the number of COVID-19 cases in the recent two weeks have declined, from 3,464 to 2,244 cases, and the ongoing active cases stand at 27,972.
Moreover, the COVID-19 hospitalization rate declined, from 3,786 to 3,313; the bed occupancy rate decreased, from 5.94 to 5.32 percent; and the casualty rate is recorded at 2.46 percent of the active cases.
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Meanwhile, Director of Postgraduate Studies of YARSI University Professor Tjandra Yoga Aditama stated that in order to enter the COVID-19 endemic stage, efforts should be made to reduce the circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in high-risk groups, continue medical care for positive cases, and prevent COVID-19 infection.
"If the COVID-19 pandemic would be declared end soon, perhaps in months, the virus will continue to exist, although it might not cause grave harm," Aditama remarked.
Health vigilance against the disease and COVID-19 vaccination administration also remains a must, he emphasized.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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