When Anies Is Not Tightening The PSBB In The Middle Of The Threat Of A Surge In COVID-19 Cases After Year-End Holidays

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JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan extended the transitional PSBB period in the capital for two weeks starting today until January 17, 2021, when the average increase of new COVID-19 cases per day is almost 2,000 cases.

This broke the signal for withdrawing the emergency brake that was conveyed by Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria. Riza once said that DKI had the possibility to tighten the PSBB again when positive cases of COVID-19 increased after the Christmas and New Year 2021 holidays.

One of the indicators determining the restriction policy is the capacity of isolation beds and special ICU for COVID-19 patients.

Based on data held by the DKI Health Office, there has been an increase in the use of beds in 98 COVID-19 referral hospitals from the previous two weeks.

"The capacity of the isolation beds has reached a percentage of 87 percent with 6,385 isolated patients from 7,379 beds as of January 3, 2021. For the condition of the ICU room, now the capacity has reached 79 percent or is filled with 762 of 960 beds," said the Head of the Health Office DKI, Widyastuti on Sunday, January 3.

As a comparison, on September 14, DKI drew the emergency brake by re-implementing the PSBB. At that time, from 63 referral hospitals, the use of isolation beds reached 77 percent and ICU was used as much as 83 percent.

Then, the percentage increase in total active cases confirmed positive shows an upward trend. As of January 2, 2021, active cases in Jakarta reached 15,471 cases, an increase of 18 percent from the previous two weeks, namely 13,066 cases on December 20, 2020.

"The increase in the percentage of active cases should be taken into account together, especially after the Christmas and New Year 2021 holidays, which have the potential for additional cases," said Widyastuti.

Another indicator is the death rate from COVID-19 which is also somewhat worrying. There has been a significant increase in the death toll from COVID-19. On December 20, 2020, the total number of patients who died was 3,087 people and within two weeks it increased to 3,334 people.

However, there was no increase in the effective reproductive value (Rt) which is an indication of the level of transmission in the community. As of January 2, the Rt value shows a score of 1.06. This figure is the same as the condition on December 19 which was also 1.06. Although, the Rt value must be below 1 for the COVID-19 outbreak to be properly controlled.

Then, the assessment score based on the COVID-19 control indicator from FKM UI was 59 as of January 2, 2021. Meanwhile, when compared to the previous weeks it had decreased, namely a score of 61 on December 19 and 26.

"A score above 60 means that the PSBB can be relaxed or relaxed in several sectors through gradual assessments. If it is below 60, of course some tightening in certain sectors needs to be done," explained Widyastuti.

Based on these data, Anies considered that DKI could still extend the transitional PSBB period. In addition, Anies will increase the 3T to identify active cases through testing and tracing as well as as soon as possible to do treatment if positive cases are found, especially after the Christmas and New Year 2021 holidays.

"We in the government will consistently carry out 3T, namely testing, tracing, treatment. Meanwhile, the community carries out 3M discipline, namely washing hands with soap, wearing masks, and maintaining distance so that the impact of the spread of COVID-19 can be handled together, especially after the Christmas and Year holidays. new, "explained Anies.

Previously, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria said that it is possible that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will pull the emergency brake after the Christmas and New Year 2021 holidays.

So far, one of the factors causing positive cases to increase is because people choose to spend their vacation time outside the city at the end of 2020.

"In responding to the increase in COVID-19, we will continue to share policies, we will see in the next few days after January 3, 2021, whether it is possible for the Governor to have an emergency break or else we will see," said Riza on Sunday, 27 December 2020.

The chairman of Commission A DPRD DKI Mujiyono once advised the DKI Provincial Government to take firm steps by pulling back the emergency brake or emergency brake policy in the PSBB.

This suggestion is based on data on the increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Jakarta. So, there needs to be a follow-up to deal with the increase in these cases.

"Emergency brakes can also be shock therapy, (strict PSBB) 2 weeks. With the increased activity of traveling residents like this, there will be a potential for a surge in Covid-19 sufferers in early January 2021. Given that those who are traveling will return to work," said Mujiyono.