No Matter How Small The Increase In The Number Of COVID-19 Must Be Watched

ILLUSTRATION BY VOI

JAKARTA - The Task Force for Handling COVID-19 stated that no matter how small the increase in COVID-19 cases in a number of areas must be, because it has the potential to be the starting point for a spike in cases.

"It is our collective concern to take measures as soon as possible so that there is no spike," said Head of Behavior Change for the COVID-19 Task Force Sonny Harry B. Harmadi in a discussion quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 17.

He explained, the flow of transmission starts from one person who is positive for COVID-19, transmits it to other people, and then forms a chain of transmission.

This increase, said Sonny, can be seen from the occupancy of beds at the COVID-19 Emergency Hospital (RSDC) Wisma Atlet Kemayoran. On November 6, the number of patients at Wisma Atlet was reported to be 209, but on November 13 the number was 273.

"Before the end of the year there has been an increase in cases. Although it is still within the control range, although there is a small increase in cases, however small we are, we really remain cautious and try to do our best so that it does not develop later," said Sonny.

Overall, according to him, active cases and daily confirmed cases have fallen by 99 percent compared to the peak of the second wave in July.

Currently, the daily COVID-19 cases have been below 400 cases per day. This figure exceeds the target set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Based on the WHO recommendation, we can control COVID-19 if the number of cases does not exceed 10 people per day per one million population. Well, if it is 10 people per million population, it's about 2,700 people," said Sonny.

To continue to maintain this low transmission rate, the COVID-19 Task Force is faced with its main challenges during Christmas and New Year. The increased mobility will go hand in hand with crowds and lead to an increase in cases.

Therefore, the Task Force asks people who do mobility to remain disciplined to wear masks and avoid crowds. Because, the key to ending the pandemic is to obey the procedures, including vaccinations.

"This has not yet entered the long holiday period, or has not entered the Christmas and New Year period (there has been an increase). So we have tried to be careful as much as possible from the task of the regional COVID-19 Task Force, not to let our guard down," said Sonny.