Update On COVID-19 Per May 16: New Lifestyle Save Life Amid COVID-19

JAKARTA - Government spokesman for the handling of COVID-19, Achmad Yurianto, explained the progress of the case as of Saturday, May 16 at 12.00 WIB. There was an additional 529 confirmed positive cases today. The total number of positive cases became 17,025 people.

Even so, there was good news received. The number of recovered cases has outperformed the death cases. There were an additional 108 patients recovered, bringing the total to 3,911 patients. Meanwhile, 13 more patients died, bringing it to 1,089 patients.

In this case, there are comorbidities that worsen the patient's condition, namely comorbid hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease.

Then, the addition of the number also occurred in patient data under surveillance (PDP) with a total of 35,069 people. Meanwhile, the cases of people under monitoring (ODP) increased to 269,449.

Furthermore, the government has carried out a sample of saliva (swab) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and a rapid molecular test (TCM) for 182,818 examinations. The number of cases examined was 135,726 people. The number of RT-PCR examination laboratories reached 61 laboratories and TCM 10 laboratories.

Yuri said that people must be able to get used to adapting to a new lifestyle, which is currently being done during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new lifestyle requires people to undergo COVID-19 prevention protocols until an undetermined time,

"What we have to do now is to really keep our distance from physical distancing, use masks, wash our hands using soap and running water, and limit travel," said Yuri at a press conference at Graha BNPB, East Jakarta, Saturday, May 16. .

If people cannot adapt to this pattern of life, Yuri is pessimistic that there are still many residents who can survive, both in terms of health and economy.

Because, he said, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the corona virus pandemic will not disappear in a short time, regardless of how to prevent it. Moreover, currently no party has succeeded in finding a vaccine for this disease.

Therefore, the government will reopen the movement of the business sector in order to revive the economy. However, all parties still have to carry out the COVID-19 prevention protocol.

"This new lifestyle upholds and disciplines all health protocols that have been established by the government. This is our choice if we want to be safe, we want to survive, from the conditions that hit the face of the earth today," concluded Yuri.