Beware Of The Danger Of The Third Wave Of COVID-19, Epidemiology: Society And Government Must Be Careful

JAKARTA - Epidemiologist from Griffith University Australia, Dicky Budiman, reminded people in the country about the dangers of the threat of a third wave of COVID-19 if they are unaware of the current decline in cases.

"The public and the government must be careful in responding to the current decline in COVID-19 cases," he said in a written statement received in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, September 23.

Moreover, until now, vaccinations that have been carried out by the government have not exceeded 50 percent of the entire population of Indonesia. For this reason, activities that have the potential to cause an increase in cases must be completely avoided.

The public is asked not to celebrate the decline in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia too soon. Plans to hold events that gather large numbers of people should be avoided, given that Indonesia is still in the shadows of a third wave of spikes in COVID-19 cases.

"Health protocols in one activity are not magic items or guarantees. Health protocols will function effectively when the data or indicators are already strong," said Dicky.

The indicators are testing, tracing and treatment (3T). If this has been implemented properly, then the health protocol is strong. If it is still minimal, then the risk of a spike in cases will be wide open.

He gave an example of a spike in cases when face-to-face learning (PTM) was held. This is one proof of the threat of a third wave of COVID-19 that could happen in the country if the public ignores it. This condition will be more complicated because public places have been opened, for example, malls or shopping centers for the public.

"The third wave is very possible because our vaccination coverage is still not more than half of the complete population," he said. This could be exacerbated by the threat of a new variant of COVID-19 and the uneven implementation of "3T" in Indonesia, he said.

Finally, he reminded that the conditions for each region to apply safe standards from COVID-19 cannot be generalized or equated. Moreover, the ability and willingness of each region to do 3T is different. So, the government still has to limit unnecessary activities.

"The easing of any activity openings is not a safe sign," he stressed.