COVID-19 Cases Increase, Anies Monitors BOR To Determine PTM's Fate In Jakarta

JAKARTA – The surge in COVID-19 cases in Jakarta was followed up by Anies Baswedan. The governor of DKI Jakarta immediately monitored the bed occupancy rate (BOR) for COVID-19 patients in hospitals. This is necessary before he decides on the sustainability of face-to-face learning (PTM) 100 percent.

"Now we continue to monitor the BOR for COVID-19 patients. If there is a significant trend of increasing concern, we can tighten it," said Anies after visiting the Hian Thian Siang Tee Bio Temple in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 1.

According to Anies, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is currently continuing to tighten the mobility of residents, including the implementation of PTM, if the BOR in hospitals continues to increase significantly.

Anies explained that the factor to determine the control of residents' mobility was carried out by measuring the bed occupancy rate for COVID-19 positive patients in hospitals.

In June-July 2021 when cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 surged after the Eid holiday, the occupancy of beds for COVID-19 patients in hospitals increased significantly. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government immediately added the needed beds.

Anies admitted that currently positive cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 are also increasing, but the BOR in hospitals is still relatively low, so his party is still waiting for a decision from the Central Government.

"The Omicron number is increasing. We have to be careful, but the severity is not like six months ago. Regarding other policies, we will monitor and evaluate with the Central Government," Anies said as quoted by Antara.

Previously, President Joko Widodo requested that the implementation of PTM in the three provinces that contributed to the most active cases of COVID-19, namely DKI Jakarta, West Java and Banten, be evaluated immediately.

Jokowi also encouraged the acceleration of the COVID-19 vaccination program to target the elderly and children aged 6-11 years to provide additional protection during the implementation of PTM.