"As of May 3 (2023), there were 2,647 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia with 25 deaths. The increase in cases was also accompanied by increased hospital BOR," the ministry's spokesperson, Mohammad Syahril, informed in Jakarta on Thursday.
Based on reports received from hospital online services as of 2 p.m. local time on May 3 and the provincial health service, 8.1 percent hospital beds were filled nationally out of 42,293 available beds. The number included isolation beds and intensive care beds for COVID-19 patients.
During the same period, five hospitals, namely, Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Dr. Tadjuddin Chalid Hospital, Dr. Ario Wirawan Hospital, Prof. Dr. R.D. Kandou Hospital, and Dr. Kariadi Hospital, recorded an increase in occupancy of more than 50 percent, Syahril informed.
From January 1–May 3, at least 22,666 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. Meanwhile, patients who were still being treated as of May 3 totaled 2,696, consisting of 2,556 isolation patients and 140 intensive care patients, he added.
Of the 22,666 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized, as many as 34.5 percent or 7,813 patients had not received a COVID-19 vaccination, he stated adding, they were dominated by the elderly.
"During that period, as many as 1,423 COVID-19 patients died at the hospital; almost half of them had not been vaccinated," Syahril, who is also serving as the director of Sulianti Saroso Hospital, added.
He urged the public to remain vigilant. Even though there has not been a big spike in cases, an increase in cases has continued to occur and has been accompanied by a rise in hospital bed occupancy.
"The public should not ignore this. Please implement the health protocols, especially by wearing masks and immediately seek a booster vaccine," he said.
This could protect the community from virus transmission and prevent a spike in cases similar to the July–August 2021 period, which was triggered by the Delta variant.
Syahril said he needed the community to remain disciplined in implementing the health protocols, wearing masks, washing hands, and completing their vaccinations.
"All elements must understand that the higher the level of community movement, the higher the risk of transmission. However, this risk can be prevented if the community is obedient and disciplined in implementing the health protocols," he added.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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