Beware Of The Spread Of COVID-19 And Pneumonia During The Christmas-New Year Holiday

Illustration of wearing a Photo by Mika Baumeister mask on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Commission IX of the House of Representatives encourages the Government to prepare strategies to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and Pneumonia, especially ahead of the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year holidays. This is expected to withstand the increase in the two cases, which are currently increasing.

"The current condition shows an increase in Covid-19 cases and the potential for pneumonia outbreaks that can expand due to a high spike in crowds and mobility during holidays," said a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Arzeti Bilbina, Wednesday, December 13.

Based on data from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) as of December 6, 2023, the average daily number of COVID-19 cases increased by 35 to 40 cases. Meanwhile, patients who were hospitalized were recorded between 60 and 131 people. Most recently, 2 COVID-19 patients in Jakarta were reported to have died.

As for the Pneumonia virus case, the Ministry of Health noted that West Java province is the one with the most positive patients. Then for the ISPA and Pneumonia Rate Incidents, DKI Jakarta is the highest compared to other provinces due to poor air quality.

However, in a trend, Pneumonia and ISPA have decreased from September to October 2023. Meanwhile, until early December, the number of cases had decreased compared to the previous month.

Even so, the potential increase in COVID-19 cases and Pneumonia can be widespread due to a high spike in crowds and mobility during the holidays. For this reason, Arzeti reminded the Government to take optimal anticipatory steps.

"Of course, year-end holidays are a time that many people are waiting for to gather with family and friends. However, we must not ignore the risk of public health in the midst of the large spread of the virus. Moreover, there have been more cases of death from COVID-19," he explained.

Arzeti encouraged the Government to prepare various strategies to prevent and overcome the potential spike in COVID-19 and Pneumonia during the Nataru holiday. Moreover, the mysterious Pneumonia case began to be detected in Jakarta, even 6 children had been infected.

The emergence of the mysterious Pneumonia case that attacks children must be a serious concern. We must not play games because this disease threatens children who are very vulnerable to the spread of the virus," said Arzeti.

The House of Representatives Health Commission encourages an increase in the capacity of hospitals (RS) throughout Indonesia. Arzeti said the increase in capacity in hospitals included additional beds, intensive care facilities, and adequate medical personnel.

The government must also ensure that supplies of medical equipment are sufficient to address needs during the spike in cases. This includes ventilators, test kits, and other medical equipment," he said.

Arzeti assessed that medical personnel training must also receive a portion of attention so that all health workers can carry out the right handling when a mysterious Pneumonia case appears. Given the World Health Organization (WHO), Pneumonia is the biggest cause of death in children around the world.

"Training for medical personnel includes early identification, patient handling, and preventive measures," said Arzeti.

The preventive measures can be taken in various ways. One of them is, said Arzeti, by administering Pneumonia vaccines and Flu vaccines according to the recommended schedule of the doctor.

"Relax socialization to the public about the importance of vaccination, especially for children to avoid mysterious Pneumonia. Vaccination also includes a COVID-19 vaccine booster for all groups," he explained.

Arzeti emphasized the importance of streamlining information on the immunization of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) for children who are currently a free program from the Government. PCV immunization is the right way to prevent Pneumonia.

The government should consider improving Pneumonia's free vaccination program as a crucial preventive measure from the emergence of the mysterious Pneumonia disease. There must be a special pick-up program, for example through posyandu-posyandu," Arzeti appealed.

Not only that, the Government is asked to increase literacy in the prevention of Pneumonia disease to the public. Arzeti encouraged the Government through the Ministry of Health to campaign for a healthy lifestyle starting from implementing health protocols, to paying attention to environmental cleanliness.

"I also urge the public to avoid children from exposure to cigarette smoke that can cause Pneumonia for children. This is for the health and safety of our children," said the legislator from the East Java I electoral district.

Arzeti also asked the Government to prepare special steps at the Nataru moment, following the year-end holidays along with school holidays.

" Control measures such as limiting capacity in public places and enforcing regulations must be carried out consistently. Especially in tourist attractions," said Arzeti.

Furthermore, Arzeti reminded the Government to increase the capacity of COVID-19 tests and contact tracing to detect cases more quickly and minimize the spread.

"Of course this requires synergy from all stakeholders, cooperation between the Central and Regional Governments, the private sector, security forces, and including awareness from the community itself to protect themselves and their families from the threat of disease," he explained.

"All parties must unite to ensure that this year's Nataru is a safe and healthy celebration for all Indonesian people," concluded Arzeti.