COVID-19 Cases Soar Again, Balikpapan Is Now A Red Zone!

COVID-19 cases continue to grow in East Kalimantan. (photo: doc. between)

BALIKPAPAN- The increase in positive cases of COVID-19 has occurred again. Even one area in East Kalimantan Province, namely Balikpapan City, is now a COVID-19 red zone. Meanwhile, Mahakam Ulu Regency still maintains the green zone based on the daily case update of the East Kalimantan COVID-19 Task Force, on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Spokesman for the COVID-19 Task Force for East Kalimantan Province, Andi Muhammad Ishak, said that eight other East Kalimantan regions, namely Bontang City, Samarinda, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kutai, West Kutai, Berau, Paser and North Penajam Paser were in the yellow zone status.

"The development of COVID-19 cases in East Kalimantan is still adding new positive cases. We hope that the public will continue to be aware of the potential for transmission of cases by continuing to apply health protocols," said Andi Muhammad Ishak, quoted by Antara in Samarinda.

Andi revealed that based on daily case updates on Saturday, July 16, 2022, there were 19 additional recovered cases and 17 positive cases, while for dead cases there were no additional new cases.

"So far, 130 patients have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 who are still undergoing treatment," Andi said. The most positive patients are in the Balikpapan City area with a total of 67 people.

Followed by 19 people from Bontang, 15 people from Samarinda, 9 people from Kutai Kartanegara, 8 people from East Kutai, 5 people from West Kutai, 4 people from Berau, 2 people from North Penajam Paser and 1 person from Paser.

"We hope that Paser and Penajam Paser Utara will immediately resolve the positive cases in their area, so that they will immediately follow the COVID-19 green zone," Andi said.

He reminded that in addition to health protocols, the public must also be active and concerned in the success of the vaccination program up to the third dose. "We hope this year the target for the third dose of vaccine in East Kalimantan can be achieved," said Andi.