COVID-19 Cases Rise In Bali, Governor Koster Alludes To Increased Foreign Tourist Visits

Bali Governor Wayan Koster/PHOTO: Dafi-VOI

DENPASAR - Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the increase in COVID-19 cases was due to the increase in foreign and domestic tourist visits to the Island of the Gods.

"Actually, the increase is, one is foreigner (or) foreign tourist visits, which have now increased to 7 thousand to 8 thousand in one day. There are countries that still impose PCR tests," said Koster, Friday, July 1.

"When (foreigners) were going back for the PCR test, 10 people were positive for COVID-19, but never above 20 people (but only) below 20. However, when compared to 7,000 who came, only 15 people were positive. I think it's a very small percentage, not significant," he added.

In addition, the number of COVID-19 cases increased from outsiders who visited Bali.

"The third is a Balinese who is out of Bali, isn't his Bali ID card, some are (to) Jakarta, Yogjakarta, East Java, some are positive when they want to return (to Bali). So that's actually high," he said.

However, for local Balinese who have never left Bali, called Koster, only a few have been exposed to COVID-19.

"For local Balinese (or) Indonesian citizens who live in Bali, the positives are very few, less than 20. Therefore, I feel there is nothing to worry about in this case and those who have recovered have also increased and those who died are also almost non-existent, it's zero ," he explained.

Regarding the impact of omicron, Koster said it was not too heavy. Because the average patient who is positive for COVID-19 is asymptomatic person (OTG).

Meanwhile, booster vaccination is stagnant at 70 percent. The Bali Provincial Government will boost booster vaccinations up to 80 percent.

"Because you feel comfortable, you don't need a booster anymore. (But) the first vaccine is 105 percent, the second vaccine is 97 percent, the booster is almost 71 percent. The target is actually, the booster is the same as the second vaccine, 97 percent," he said.