DKI Jakarta was recorded as the province with the most additional cases at 500, followed by West Java (206), East Java (180), Banten (110), and Central Java (74).
Meanwhile, 1,541 people recovered from COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the cumulative recoveries to 6,269,262.
According to data provided by the task force, the number of COVID-19 patients who succumbed to the virus increased by 6 on Saturday. Thus, the total death toll since the start of the pandemic reached 158,198.
On Saturday, the number of COVID-19 patients undergoing quarantine and treatment fell by 222 to 16,489.
While the government has eased restrictions on community activities that were aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, it has continued to carry out efforts to prevent and control the transmission of the disease, including vaccinations.
The government is encouraging citizens to take the third dose or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine to increase their resistance to SARS-CoV-2, the type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
According to health expert Professor Zubairi Djoerban, vaccination is still needed to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus even though COVID-19 cases have decreased and the death rate from the disease is already low.
"The transmission has not been controlled, there are still a lot, just not as heavy as before and those who enter the hospital, who die, are few. Vaccinations must still be done," Djoerban said.
The strategy to administer COVID-19 vaccines to at least 70 percent of the total population must continue to be implemented in all regions, including those experiencing a decline in cases, the ITAGI earlier stated.
"The pandemic has not yet been declared over either by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the head of state," chairperson of ITAGI, Prof. Sri Rezeki, said.
Related news: Jakarta records 1,166 additional daily positive COVID-19 cases
In Indonesia, two emergency statuses have been set by the government related to the pandemic through Presidential Decree No. 11 of 2020 on COVID-19 determination as a public health emergency and Presidential Decree No. 12 of 2020 on the transmission of COVID-19 as a national disaster.
The two policies were adopted by the government by referring to WHO's declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic and a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020.
Hence, Rezeki said, the target of vaccinating at least 70 percent of the population must continue to be bolstered.
Related news: Jakarta Health Office seeks regional COVID-19 vaccine transfers
Translator: Asep F, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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