Trends Of COVID-19 Cases Rise, Members Of Commission IX DPR Ask The Government To Strengthen Early Detection

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives Netty Prasetyani Aher asked the Government to strengthen early detection and be alert in the face of a potential spike in COVID-19 cases in the Asian region so as not to spread in Indonesia. Moreover, there are additional new cases that cause a trend of COVID-19 cases and positivity rates in Indonesia to increase.

The increase in COVID-19 cases in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong must be an alarm of vigilance for Indonesia. We must not be careless," said Prasetyani Aher, Tuesday, June 3.

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) as of Monday, June 2 reported the findings of 7 new cases of COVID-19, bringing a total of 72 patients throughout 2025.

The Ministry of Health also reported that the current COVID-19 positivity rate rose to 2.05 percent, from the previous one which was below 1 percent.

In the 17th to 19th week of this year, the Ministry of Health saw an increase in cases in Banten, Jakarta and East Java Provinces. The most increases were recorded in the first week of January 2025 with 27 cases. The trend of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia is also said to have increased in the 21st week from the previous week with a presentation of 0 percent to 5 percent.

Along with this, the Ministry of Health issued a circular numbered SR.03.01/C/1422/2025 which was published on Friday, May 23, 2025. The letter states that the dominant COVID-19 variants spreading in Thailand are XEC and JN.1, in Singapore LF.7 and NB.1.8 (JN.1 derivative), in Hong Kong JN.1, and in Malaysia is XEC (JN.1 derivative). While the dominant variant circulating in Indonesia is MB.1.1.

In the circular, the Ministry of Health also explained that this circular was aimed at increasing COVID-19 vigilance and potential KLB (Extraordinary Events)/other outbreaks for the Health Office, UPT for Health Quarantine, UPT for Community Health Laboratory, health service facilities and stakeholders.

Netty also welcomed the issuance of a circular from the Ministry of Health regarding the increase in COVID-19 cases in several countries and called the letter an anticipatory step. Even so, Netty reminded that this policy would not only be an administrative document.

"The Circular is not enough if it only stops at the bureaucratic table. There needs to be an acceleration of cross-sector coordination to the leading level of health facilities in the field," he said.

Netty also emphasized the importance of clear and structured communication efforts to the public so that there is no panic. But he also appealed to the public to remain vigilant.

"Education on the importance of Clean and Healthy Life Behavior, the use of masks for those who are sick, and awareness to immediately check themselves if they are symptomatic, must continue to be intensified. Do not let people ignore it because they feel the pandemic is over," said Netty.

This member of the House of Representatives Health Commission also asked for an increase in supervision of the mobility of citizens. One thing that needs to be anticipated, said Netty, is the flow of individuals at the entrances to Indonesia.

"People's mobility from one place to another, from abroad to Indonesia, is one of the doors to transmitting COVID-19," he explained.

Netty encouraged the national health system to be fully alerted to deal with the potential for a new wave of COVID-19. "The government must still alert the health care system, including the availability of facilities, medical personnel, and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the event of a sudden spike in cases," said Netty.

"We have learned a lot during yesterday's pandemic. Don't let us repeat our unpreparedness just because we are too confident to see the downward trend," he concluded.