Jakarta's COVID-19 Case Slopes, Epidemiologist: Don't Be Careless

JAKARTA - Epidemiologist at Griffith University Australia, Dicky Budiman, assessed that the strategy for handling COVID-19 in DKI Jakarta was correct. This is evidenced by daily cases that continue to fall.

Even so, Dicky reminded the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government not to be careless. Especially in running testing, tracing and treatment (3T). Because, one of the important keys to face the COVID-19 pandemic is 3T.

"Actually, Jakarta's strategy is in the right direction. Where testing is, Jakarta's tracing is the best among other local governments. This must be maintained and even improved. This is a long process, not a moment. What must be maintained is the strength of testing and tracing. that's the key," he told VOI, Sunday, August 15.

Furthermore, Dicky also reminded DKI Governor Anies Baswedan not to be distracted by secondary strategies such as odd-even, and all kinds of conditions to travel during the PPKM level 4 period.

"You come here to use vaccines, you have to be tested there, it's okay but that's not the main thing. The main thing is di_3T. 5 percent. Not because of various restrictions, but because 3T is something that must be considered," he explained.

Dicky said that because Indonesia is still facing and will face other COVID-19 variants that can be more severe than the delta variant, not only 3T, but vaccinations must also continue.

"Although Jakarta is better than other regions, talking about the second injection, there is still homework. Especially for the elderly and comorbid. This is approximately 3 million people who have not been vaccinated and this is certainly not an easy thing. This must be pursued," he said.

However, said Dicky, it is not enough just to 3T and COVID-19 vaccination. He said to suppress the spread of COVID-19, the 5M movement must also be supported, namely wearing masks, washing hands with soap and running water, maintaining distance, staying away from crowds, and limiting mobilization and interaction.

"5M has been improved, but I think we still need to improve a lot, especially in terms of mobility, and crowds that involve many aspects of the economy as well as offices," he said. must be carried out strictly and disciplined.

"The bottom line is that in order to maintain the achievement, three strategies are needed. First, 3T, 5M and vaccination," he said.

For your information, the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) released the latest additional positive cases of COVID-19 per day. The cumulative total of cases stands at 3,854,354 since the first cases were announced on March 2. Meanwhile, new cases per day reached 20,813 people.

DKI Jakarta recorded the addition of 1,182 new cases of COVID-19 and the total cases reached 840,442. While recovered cases were recorded at 1,066 and the total cumulative cases reached 817,725. While 17 people died and a total of 13,050 people died.