COVID-19 Cases Begin To Rise, Task Force: Use Of Masks In Public Places To Be Loose

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 Handling Task Force (Satgas) has identified a number of situations that are suspected to be the triggering factors for the increase in the rate of positive and active COVID-19 cases in Indonesia in recent weeks.

"Until now, it can't be concluded that there is an increase in positive cases and active cases in Indonesia, but several potentials have been identified," said Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, June 14.

The first situation relates to population mobility, which is currently increasing when compared to the situation in 2021. The decline in COVID-19 cases has the potential to increase community interaction from one place to another.

Wiku said that community activities that have returned to normal in public places as well as large-scale activities attended by many people have the potential to increase interactions between communities which can increase the potential for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19.

Another situation that was also identified by the Task Force, said Wiku, was discipline in the health protocols (prokes) which seemed lax in the community, along with the slowing down of cases.

"The use of masks in residential areas and public places is starting to loosen," he said.

Another factor suspected of causing the increase in cases is the threat of new virus mutations in the form of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that have entered Indonesia.

"This variant was reported in Indonesia on June 6, 2022," he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health reported the number of cases of subvariant BA.4 and BA.5 in Indonesia to date amounted to 20 cases. Consisting of two BA.4 cases and 18 BA.5 cases.

As is known, in recent weeks there has been an increase in weekly cases of COVID-19 from 1,800 cases at the end of May 2022 to 3,600 cases last week.

Active cases also increased from 2,900 cases as of the end of May 2022 to 4,900 cases as of June 13, 2022.

However, the number of positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia, amounting to 574 cases as of June 11, 2022, can be said to be lower than a number of neighboring countries. Malaysia 1,709 cases, Thailand 2,474 cases, Singapore 3,128 cases, India 8,582 cases, Australia 16,393 cases.

"The number of daily cases in Indonesia is still relatively low when compared to the very large population," he said.