Conclusion No Two-Wave COVID-19 Is Too Early

Illustrated (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The conclusion is that there is no spread of the second wave of the COVID-19 virus as conveyed by the handling group is considered too early. This is because the statement conveyed by Wiku Adisasmito, the Head of the Expert Team for the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19, has not been supported by data.

This was conveyed by the Australian Griffith University Epidemiologist, Dicky Budiman regarding Wiku's statement. He also regretted this. The statement should have been accompanied by the data presented. It's not just a statement.

"It is too early to say that (wave two did not occur) because the peak of wave one has not occurred. Also, the claim is not supported by valid arguments," Dicky told VOI via text message, Thursday, May 14.

He said, if the COVID-19 handling team wanted to declare there was no second wave, at least there would be data that said there were no new cases for two weeks. Meanwhile, every day there are always new cases added. Then tests have been carried out at least one percent of the population and the death rate has decreased.

In addition, the ratio between the number of positive cases of corona to the total polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests carried out or the positivity rate is at least five percent and case tracking or tracing must be at 80 percent.

Dicky said, for example some of these things have happened in Indonesia, so the next task is to maintain the existing conditions.

"Such conditions must be maintained until vaccines or drugs are found and obtained by all vulnerable populations," he said.

He said, Indonesia should no longer repeat what happened at the beginning of the pandemic, which is wasting time on mitigation in order to prevent casualties from COVID-19.

Dicky even said that this pandemic will have a long way to go. This situation can worsen when people's behavior has not changed to follow the health protocol recommended by the government and the government's testing, tracking and isolation strategy is not ideal.

"So the basis of his claim does not have a solid foundation. I beg you not to repeat what happened at the beginning of the pandemic," he concluded.

As for the press conference regarding the development of the spread of COVID-19, Wiku responded to a question about the possibility of a second wave of spreading this virus in Indonesia. Wiku considered, this new wave should not happen.

"The second wave (of the spread of COVID-19) should not have happened, but we still have to be prepared for it," Wiku said in a press conference broadcast virtually on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Thursday, May 14.

However, the second wave of the spread of COVID-19 might occur when people do not follow strict health protocols such as maintaining distance, using masks, and diligently washing their hands and not traveling as long as it is not urgent.

"The second wave is likely to occur in areas where people do not apply health protocols," he said.

To prevent the occurrence of a second wave of corona viruses, the Task Force will continue to monitor the development of cases in the regions. However, all this preventive work will be successful depending on the role of the community.

"We have tried our best but we cannot do this alone. We need all Indonesians to work together," he said.