The Number Of COVID-19 Patients Begins To Crawl Up When Christmas And New Year's Holidays Are In Front Of The Eyes

JAKARTA - DPR Speaker Puan Maharani has highlighted the number of COVID-19 patients again. He urged the Government to anticipate a spike in cases, especially since it has entered ahead of the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year holidays.

"Soon we will enter the Christmas and New Year holidays which allow for high mobility of the community. The government must prepare appropriate anticipatory steps so that the increase in COVID-19 patients can be suppressed and does not cause a spike in cases," said Puan, Thursday, December 7.

It is known, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office reported an increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in the past week. In the period 27 November to 3 December 2023, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 rose 30 to 40 percent from the previous week, namely the period 20 to 26 November.

Despite the overall increase in COVID-19 cases in the capital, inpatients or the Bed Occupancy Rate (BOR) trend in hospitals related to COVID-19 did not increase. More than 90 percent of reported cases only complain of mild symptoms.

Even so, Puan urged the Government not to be careless and immediately took swift steps that could mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

"Although there is no increase in BOR in hospitals, the Government must be vigilant. I also encourage the Government to continue to prepare health services to always be ready when facing the worst scenario," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

"This is needed as an anticipatory step in optimally protecting the community. Don't let us miss it, we don't want to go back to the way it was at the beginning of the pandemic," continued Puan.

Puan reminded the Government to anticipate the spread of the virus entering the 2023 Christmas Day and 2024 New Year holidays. Given the prediction of high community mobilization.

"In the midst of high community mobility, the central and regional governments must prepare accurate steps. Including responding quickly to the spike in COVID-19 cases so that the handling can run effectively," said Puan.

On the other hand, the legislator from the Central Java V electoral district reminded the Government to re-enact the 5M health protocol appeal to the public, namely wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, reducing mobility, and avoiding crowds. Puan assessed that education to the public remains important even though Indonesia is now in the COVID-19 endemic.

"With good joint work, it is hoped that this effort can anticipate the spread of Covid-19 and maintain maximum public health," he said.