Task Force Records Increase In Community Mobility And COVID-19 Transmission Rate

COVID-19 Handling Task Force Spokesperson Prof Wiku Adisasmito/IST

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, said that his party began to note an increase in community mobility in several public places as well as an increase in the effectiveness of the transmission of the virus in various parts of Indonesia.

"Currently, population mobility continues to increase compared to the spike in the second wave of cases," Wiku said at a press conference quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 18.

Wiku revealed that the increase occurred at five points, namely retail and recreation shopping centers, public open spaces or parks, offices, and transit locations.

The Task Force noted that the increase in mobility to date is almost the same as the increase in mobility that occurred during the Idul Fitri 2021 period which caused the highest increase during the pandemic in Indonesia.

"This means that this increase in mobility needs to be watched out for," said Wiku.

Wiku compared the increase in population mobility in the 2021 Eid al-Fitr period which was recorded as high mobility which triggered a spike in the second wave of cases.

He emphasized that this situation of increasing population mobility needs to be controlled so that there will not be an increase in cases in the future by prioritizing the precautionary principle in activities and reducing unnecessary mobility.

Wiku also said that this high mobility needs to be accompanied by screening for COVID-19 by testing and carrying out health protocols properly.

The COVID-19 Handling Task Force also noted an increase in the rate of virus transmission as measured by the effective reproduction number or RT. The effective reproduction rate is a number that describes the level of transmission in the community, the smaller the RT number, the lower the potential for transmission and vice versa.

"Currently, the number of RTs both nationally and in several regions has increased even though the number is still below one," he said.

Wiku stressed that in the future the number of RTs must continue to be suppressed and kept low so that the current mobility does not trigger a spike in cases.

According to him, it is not impossible that Indonesia can reduce the potential increase in cases during the Christmas and New Year holidays if all local governments and their communities work hand in hand in maintaining population mobility, increasing the coverage of the second dose of vaccination, and implementing health protocols, both wearing masks and keeping a distance from others. Correct.