Task Force Reminds If COVID-19 Cases Rise Due To Easing, PPKM Can Be Tightened Again

COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Widu Adisasmito (Photo: BNPB dock)

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said that the extension of PPKM Levels 1 to 4 with the easing of several sectors is currently an effort by the government to balance economic activities with health care.

Wiku said the opening of the sectors carried out would continue to be evaluated according to the development of COVID-19 cases.

"Therefore, take advantage of this one week as best as possible by remaining disciplined in carrying out its main processes in sectors that have begun to open," Wiku said in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, July 27.

Wiku said that the level of discipline towards health protocols could determine whether the opening of these activities had an impact on increasing cases or not.

"If it turns out that the sectors that have been opened are not complying with the health procedures and increasing cases, then it is necessary to re-limit them," he said.

However, if activities in the relaxed sector show compliance with health protocols and are proven not to increase cases, it is not impossible that the government will gradually open other activities when PPKM Levels 1 to 4 ends on August 2.

"We have seen quite good results in Java and Bali. I believe this change can be achieved because people are trying to comply with the regulations imposed by the government," he explained.

Regarding the development of cases in Java and Bali that implemented PPKM Levels 3 and 4, Wiku said there was an improvement in conditions. When viewed at the national level, Wiku said that active COVID-19 cases, positivity rates, daily cases, and recovery had improved during the PPKM Level 1 period. to 4, after having increased in Emergency PPKM.

The percentage of active cases which on the last day of Emergency PPKM was 18.65 percent has decreased on the last day of PPKM levels 1 to 4 to 18.12 percent.

In addition, the positivity rate also decreased from the previous 33.42 percent to 31.16 percent.

"The decline also occurred in the highest daily cases. During the Emergency PPKM period we once reached the highest daily case of 56,757. In the PPKM Level 1-4 period, we were able to suppress it to 49,509 cases," said Wiku.

"Similarly, the number of cures continues to show an increase from before Emergency PPKM, which was 11,578, increased in Emergency PPKM to 29,791 and continued to increase at PPKM Levels 1 to 4 to 37,640 cases," he continued.

Despite the decline in cases, the COVID-19 death rate is still increasing. Wiku said the highest daily death rate was 539 cases.

"The death rate then increased in Emergency PPKM to 1,338 cases and increased again in PPKM Levels 1 to 4 to 1,487 cases," added Wiku.