the season change that reduces people's immunity due to humidityJakarta (ANTARA) - The DKI Jakarta Health Service stated the transition period from dry to rainy season was one of the causes for the increase in COVID-19 cases apart from two other factors.
"There are three factors namely, the season change that reduces people's immunity due to humidity," Head of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Immunization Section of the DKI Jakarta Health Service, Ngabila Salama, stated on Friday.
The second factor is related to the human body's immunity. Salama noted that COVID-19 antibody levels start to drop six months after COVID-19 vaccination.
The third factor is the presence of virus mutations or new variants. However, although the virus mutates quickly, the symptoms should not be more severe, she stated.
Related news: Govt yet to issue mask-wearing advice against COVID-19 uptick: Jokowi
Salama also emphasized that the government's focus is protecting vulnerable groups by completing vaccinations and conducting health detection.
Since COVID-19 was declared as endemic in June 2023, she remarked that the main responsibility to maintain health lies with each individual. The government will also continue to encourage and provide COVID-19 vaccination.
Tightening health protocols, wearing masks, and washing hands are still highly suggested to prevent virus transmission. In order to prevent severity in condition and deaths in vulnerable groups, it is necessary to complete vaccination against COVID-19, she remarked.
The Jakarta Health Service reported that the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the province, as of December 13, 2023, had reached 365.
Related news: Jakarta records more than 300 COVID-19 cases
On December 11, 2023, some 57 positive cases were found, followed by 127 cases on December 12 and 131 new cases on December 13.
"There were two mortality cases on December 1-10, and zero deaths reported on December 11-13," she noted.
On December 11, the Health Service reported two patient deaths from COVID-19. One was an 81-year-old woman, with hypertension as comorbidity, who had received the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The second death was a 91-year-old woman having a history of stroke and heart failure with no history of COVID-19 vaccination.
Related news: Tourism Ministry in risk mitigation mode amid COVID uptick
Translator: Siti Nurhaliza, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
