Jokowi Worried About Rising World COVID-19 Cases Spreading To Indonesia: We Must Stay Alert
JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo is worried that the condition of the world's COVID-19 cases, which has been creeping up in recent weeks, will "infect" Indonesia. In fact, the current pandemic condition in the country has improved.
Jokowi explained that the occupancy of beds, the positivity rate, and the reproduction rate (Rt) of the corona virus were below the WHO standard. Then, over the past few days, the daily cases were below 1,000 cases.
"It means in a good position, in a low position. But I need to remind you that this pandemic is not over yet," Jokowi said in a briefing to regional heads throughout Indonesia, uploaded to the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube account on Tuesday, October 26.
Jokowi understands that currently the development of daily COVID-19 cases has decreased drastically, from its peak of 56,000 cases per day. However, he cautioned that currently the development of world cases is starting to rise.
He explained that the trend of world cases this week rose 2 percent. In fact, 3 to 4 weeks ago, the trend of cases was down.
"In Europe, for example, this week it rose to 23 percent, in South America it rose 13 percent. This should remind us that we must remain in a position of caution, in a position of vigilance, because the world is still faced with uncertainty," said Jokowi.
Jokowi revealed that the trend of increasing world cases was caused by three factors. The first factor is relaxation that is too fast without going through the stages of easing restrictions.
The second factor is the issue of undisciplined health protocols. "In some countries, masks have been removed, masks are removed, in open and closed gatherings," he said.
The third factor that causes an increase in cases in a country is the implementation of face-to-face learning in schools that do not comply with the implementation of health protocols, as well as weak supervision.
"We also need supervision, field supervision management is very, very necessary. So, events that occur in other countries do not happen here," he added.