Wantimpres Asks People To Stay Alert Regarding The Decline Of COVID-19

Wantimpres member HR Agung Laksono during a dialogue with the Board of Directors of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) regarding the development of acute hepatitis cases at RSCM Jakarta, Tuesday (17/5/2022). ANTARA/Personal Documentation

JAKARTA - Member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) Agung Laksono asked the public to remain vigilant even though positive cases of COVID-19 have decreased and are under control.

"Although the positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia are now under control, we still have to be vigilant and not be careless," said Agung Laksono during a working visit to the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) and the COVID Emergency Hospital (RSDC) Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, Jakarta, reported by Antara, Tuesday.

Agung sees the need to maintain this good development through the collaboration of all components of society in order to assist the Government's efforts in handling the COVID-19 pandemic so that the community can continue to be in good health.

According to him, the downward trend in COVID-19 cases that continues to occur in the country must be addressed optimistically but with caution.

Therefore, said Agung, awareness to care about health is still very important in the midst of a pandemic that is not over yet.

In the long term, he continued, this condition is feared to cause new problems, such as the hepatitis phenomenon that occurs in groups of children who have not been vaccinated.

Agung deliberately visited the Wisma Atlet Kemayoran Hospital to see the current situation and condition of the hospital after the 2022 Eid holiday.

"I visited here to see first-hand how the situation and condition of the athlete's guesthouse which was once a treatment building for COVID-19 sufferers of various variants, the last one being the Omicron variant," said Agung in a press release.

During his visit, Agung Laksono and members of the Wantimpres were accompanied by the Head of the TNI Health Center (Kapuskes) who is also the Coordinator of the Kemayoran Athlete Hospital Hospital Major General Budiman. This group had time to review the availability of patient beds at the Kemayoran Athlete Hospital Wisma Atlet.

Although the situation is getting better, they admit that they are still vigilant. However, not all beds were used, only 100 beds were prepared.

"There are 3,000 beds. However, some are temporarily closed while watching developments," he said.

Agung also asked the public to continue to practice positive habits, one of which is to continue to wear masks and others

"It's better to continue to use it in addition to preventing pollution and infection, it can also protect it from other things. Moreover, in neighboring countries, such as Australia and Thailand, COVID-19 still exists," said Agung.

In the same place, the Kapuskes TNI Major General TNI Budiman said that the Wisma Atlet RSDC was still preparing patient beds in anticipation of a spike in COVID-19 cases.

"We continue to treat existing patients, volunteers are also empowered for basic and booster vaccinations. However, what is clear is that we remain ready and vigilant," he said.

Responding to the possible increase in COVID-19 cases post-Eid 2022, Budiman said that currently there are eight COVID-19 patients out of a total of 3,000 available beds at the Kemayoran Wisma Atlet Hospital.

"We hope that there will be no next wave. We are one of the countries that have managed to deal with COVID-19. Even though COVID-19 cases have decreased significantly, we will continue to increase our vigilance," Budiman said.

Prior to visiting the Kemayoran Athlete Hospital, Agung Laksono visited the RSCM to monitor the condition of patients with acute hepatitis and see the progress of their treatment at the RSCM.

"It is currently under research because we do not know what causes it. However, the government recommends to the public to avoid its spread," he said.

Agung Laksono said that currently the number of cases of acute hepatitis sufferers is not much. However, this problem can be handled properly.

"Indeed, the cause is unknown and research is being carried out. However, there is no need to worry, keep your cleanliness and health. The RSCM reported that they had made rapid anticipations related to this acute hepatitis case," he said.