Although It Has Not Been Seen, Minister Of Health Budi Predicts That After Eid There Will Be An Increase In COVID-19 Cases

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin (Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin predicts that there will be an increase in COVID-19 cases in the future after Lebaran due to the high mobility of the people. Although, currently the increase in cases has not been seen.

"Until now, we haven't seen an increase in cases. If asked whether there will be or not, my feeling should be, because the mobility is higher," said Budi in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, May 17.

Budi explained, based on experience after long holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Christmas Day before, there was often an increase in COVID-19 cases. Usually, the increase in cases begins to appear after 27 to 34 days after the holiday.

However, so far the percentage of positive cases or the COVID-19 positivity rate is still below 5 percent and the case reproduction rate is still at 1 or below 1 per region.

Seeing this condition, Budi said if the increase in cases occurred again, the wave of COVID-19 would not be as severe as before.

"If yesterday was May 2, we'll see at the end of this month, God willing, there won't be a significant increase. But, we'll wait so we can be more observant at the end of this month," he said.

Furthermore, in the midst of a number of easing of activity restrictions, Budi again reminded people who were infected with COVID-19 they must still undergo isolation for at least 5 days or until the test results are negative.

"If you know that he can infect, come back again, this is one of the important things in the transition from pandemic to endemic, is public awareness. If the person concerned is sick and can transmit it, he should not go anywhere," he added.