Distracted And Ignored In Prokes, IDI Aceh: Get Ready For The Second Wave Of COVID-19

Illustration-Residents disembarking from the ship (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) Aceh assessed that the community has been loose in implementing health protocols (prokes). As a result, a potential spike in COVID-19 cases could occur.

That was the statement by the Chairperson of the Aceh IDI, Dr. Safrizal Rahman, quoted from the Antara report, Friday, April 30. "Without our cooperation, the second wave (COVID-19) which is usually bigger than the first wave will occur in Aceh."

He explained that in the last few months the increase in COVID-19 cases in Aceh was below 10 people. However, over the past two weeks, the average number of new cases has increased by more than 50 people. Although it is not yet known whether the virus continues to be contagious, it is a new variant or an old variant.

Safrizal said the drastic increase was due to the fact that people began to neglect health services following the decline in COVID cases in the last few months. Not to mention that enthusiasm for COVID-19 vaccination for some groups is still low.

In historical records, pandemics did not only come once, but there was a phase of decreasing cases and returning with a second, larger wave.

"What happened in India proves that. India has almost said they have herd immunity, vaccinations were given to nearly 100 million people, conditions have calmed down, then people feel it is over, act as if they are normal and finally now there is another explosion, "said Safrizal.

The second wave of the spike in COVID-19 cases was preventable. The community only needs to increase awareness and make India a lesson in overcoming COVID-19.

Moreover, he said, the transmission of the Indian variant of COVID-19 B1617 had reached Sumatra. "In fact, it is alleged that it has not only arrived, but has become a transmission or has spread to other people," he said.

Therefore, IDI asks people to apply 5M, namely wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, limiting interaction mobility and preventing and avoiding crowds. In addition, the government continues the COVID-19 vaccination program.

"Please continue to maintain and provide understanding to the community so that they do not neglect. Because any type in this virus, if not by health protocol, we cannot fight, "said Safrizal.