COVID-19 Cases Soar, Palembang Athletes' Guesthouse Prepared For Patient Isolation

PALEMBANG - Athletes' Guesthouse Jakabaring in Palembang, South Sumatra, was again prepared as a location for isolation of positive cases of COVID-19 in anticipation of increased hospital availability.

Governor of South Sumatra Herman Deru said the first stage will be opened one of the five existing towers and the manager has been asked to prepare all the needs of isolation.

"This preparation is just in case", he was quoted as saying by Antara on Wednesday, May 12.

He said the level of hospital availability (BOR) in South Sumatra has indeed increased, especially hospitals in Palembang that have reached 70 percent.

However, he said, the high percentage of occupancy is due to the reduced availability of beds in hospitals since a few months ago when positive cases decreased.

The previous hospital in Palembang provided a total of 1,000 beds then reduced to 700 beds so that when the case increased then the percentage of BOR immediately rose significantly.

"I have asked the Mayor of Palembang to be returned (reduced bed, red.)", said Deru.

In total there are 53 hospitals in 17 districts/cities for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in South Sumatra with a total of 1,510 beds provided, as many as 18 hospitals with 780 beds are located in Palembang.

South Sumatra health office data as of May 11, 2021, the level of hospital availability (BOR) in South Sumatra reached 53 percent, previously the Minister of Trade and task force COVID-19 center has reminded Sumsel to anticipate the increase in BOR.