Sad News, Transmission Of COVID-19 In Riau Islands Has Increased Since April

Screenshot of the Riau Islands Provincial Secretary giving a speech at a workshop held online by Bapelkes Batam in Batam, Tuesday. ANTARA/ Naim

JAKARTA - The Riau Islands Provincial Government noted that the number of COVID-19 transmissions had increased since early April, and until now there is still an increase compared to the beginning of 2021.

"This has increased since early April," said Regional Secretary of the Riau Islands Province TS Arif Fadillah at the COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure Workshop for vaccinators at health service facilities held by Bapelkes Batam, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, May 15.

So far, 20,685 Riau Islands residents have been confirmed positive for COVID-19, and 1,372 of them are active cases. A total of 17,869 people were declared cured and 444 people died.

He said, to reduce the transmission rate of COVID-19, the government has rushed vaccinations to buffer areas.

Based on his records, he revealed that the vaccination achievement reached 24.6 percent or 341,547 people. Of all regencies and cities in Riau Islands, the highest vaccination rate was in Tanjungpinang City at 35.77 percent, and the lowest was in Lingga at 15.26 percent.

"We encourage the acceleration of vaccination because Riau Islands is one of the front porches. Riau Islands are a tourism area," he said.

It also continues to support the training of vaccinators conducted by Bapelkes, so that people can receive vaccines properly.

"We hope that more and more vaccinators in Riau Islands accelerate vaccination, so that in July 70 percent of Riau Islands residents have been vaccinated, because we want to accelerate economic growth, we want to open tourism with certain limits," he said.