Weekly COVID-19 Positivity Rate In Indonesia Reaches Lowest Rate During A Pandemic

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

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, conveyed good news regarding the percentage of positive cases of COVID-19 or the positivity rate this week.

Along with the current decline in COVID-19 cases, Wiku said that the positivity rate is currently at its lowest during the pandemic.

"People who are positive or the positivity rate is only 2.48 percent. This is the lowest weekly positivity rate we have ever achieved during the pandemic", said Wiku in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, September 21.

Wiku said, along with the decline in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, the government was committed to increasing the number of testing in Indonesia so that more cases could be detected.

"In the last week, the number of people being examined reached 1 million people, continuing to increase from the previous 600,000 to 900,000 people", said Wiku.

Wiku said that the improvement of pandemic conditions in the country could occur thanks to the collaboration between the community and the government in strengthening the application of the 3M and 3T health protocols. Not to forget, there is a big role for health workers in treating Coronavirus patients.

"This improvement will not be achieved if there is no good cooperation between all levels of society and elements of the government. Of course, there is also a big role for health workers who always move quickly to treat COVID-19 patients", explained Wiku.

Furthermore, Wiku conveyed that the biggest challenge currently being faced is how to maintain this ideal condition until Indonesia and the world are free from the pandemic and enter the COVID-19 endemic.

As has been experienced, the second spike in cases last July has taught many lessons, one of which is handling COVID-19 when the spike in cases is more expensive, longer, and more deadly.

"For this reason, the best effort we can give is to perpetuate the trend of declining cases for as long as possible while still adhering to health protocols, not being careless, and ignoring COVID even though the cases have dropped dramatically", said Wiku.

"Remember, the spike in cases occurs when people start to be careless and think the conditions are safe, so that's where the chance for COVID to spread again and increase", he added.