Beware! COVID-19 Cases in Jakarta Rose 22 Percent in the Last Month

Illustration of community activities using masks (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Health Service recorded an increase in COVID-19 cases over the last month. Head of the Epidemiological Surveillance and Immunization Section of the DKI Jakarta Health Office, Ngabila Salama, COVID-19 cases during this endemic period have increased by 22 percent over the past month.

It was recorded that weekly new COVID-19 cases in the period November 6-12 were 40 cases, November 13-19 55 cases, November 20-26 62 cases, and November 27-December 3 80 cases.

"In the last week, the number of positive COVID-19 cases increased by 30-40 percent from the previous week or increased by 22 percent in the last month compared to the previous month," Ngabila told reporters, Thursday, December 7.

Since the government declared the spread of the coronavirus to be endemic from June 2023, the main responsibility for health lies with each community.

"So far there is no need for further activity restrictions. However, the government has not stopped urging people to wear masks more strictly, wash their hands more diligently, maintain good indoor air ventilation, and avoid cigarette smoke," he said.

"The government is also still providing free routine immunizations for children from the government, including 15 types, COVID-19 vaccination doses 1 to 4. Complete them immediately while available and it's free," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health also noted the addition of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia. Based on data as of December 6 2023, the average daily COVID-19 cases increased by 35-40 cases.

Meanwhile, there were between 60-131 COVID-19 patients being treated in hospital. With the current hospital occupancy rate of 0.06 percent and a death rate of 0-3 cases per day.

Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, explained that the increase in cases was dominated by the Omicron XBB 1.5 subvariant, which is also the cause of the wave of COVID-19 infections in Europe and the United States.

Apart from the XBB variant, Indonesia has also detected the EG2 and EG5 subvariants. Even though there is an increase, this case is still much lower than during the pandemic, which reached 50,000 to 400,000 cases per week.

"Those who are sick, now require themselves to wear a mask, wash their hands with soap, maintain immunity by consuming balanced nutritious food, then keep your distance, especially if you are sick so you don't spread the infection," explained Maxi.