Epidemiologist From University Of Indonesia : Level 4 PPKM Is Effective

JAKARTA - Epidemiologist from the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia (FKM UI), Iwan Ariawan, assessed that the Level 4 Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) was effective. "Monitoring and modeling of the FKM UI pandemic team show that Level 4 PPKM is effective", said Iwan Ariawan, Tuesday, August 3.

He revealed that the decline in COVID-19 cases had been seen in Java-Bali if assessed using the PPKM indicator.

"The decline in existing cases shows that Level 4 PPKM which is applied in most regencies/cities in Java and Bali shows there are benefits", he said.

So, according to him, the government's decision to extend Level 4 PPKM until August 9, 2021, is the right one. Iwan said that with Level 1 to 4 of PPKM policy, PPKM actually continues.

"The level can go down to 3, 2, 1 and can rise again if there is an increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths", he explained.

Iwan added that Level 4 PPKM, which is now being carried out in Java-Bali is needed to reduce health facilities. "Otherwise, health facilities will collapse and deaths, either due to COVID-19 or other diseases, will increase", he said.

According to him, if the public is more disciplined, testing and tracking are improved by the government, and vaccination coverage is increased, then the outbreak can be controlled immediately. Thus, community compliance with PPKM rules and health protocols (prokes) needs to be improved or improved.

Therefore, he said, the government also needs to increase testing and close contact tracing, and accelerate vaccination. He also invited people who still objected to the extension of the PPKM to comply with the government's decision.

"So that the COVID-19 outbreak can be immediately controlled in Indonesia", said Iwan