COVID-19 Update As Of May 19: Coexistence With COVID-19

Government spokesman for the handling of COVID-19 Achmad Yurianto (Yuri) (Photo: BNPB documentation)

JAKARTA - Government spokesman for the handling of COVID-19 Achmad Yurianto (Yuri) explained, as many as 486 people were confirmed as new positive cases in the additional temporary cases as of Tuesday, May 19. The total accumulative, positive cases reached 18,496 people.

The increase in the number of positive confirmed cases is the result of specimen examination using the saliva method (swab) using a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine and a rapid molecular test (TCM). About 202,936 specimens have been examined from 147,799 people.

From the same examination, 4,467 people were negative or recovered. This figure is the total number with additions as of Tuesday, May 19, as many as 143 patients. Then, based on the data, the death cases due to COVID-19 increased by 30 cases. So, 1,221 patients have died due to contracting COVID-19.

Infographic Update on the acceleration of handling of COVID-19 in Indonesia as of May 19 2020 at 12.00 WIB. # UnitedCovid19 pic.twitter.com/DnRjZ2Dmbm

- BNPB Indonesia (BNPB_Indonesia) May 19, 2020

Likewise, for the case of people under monitoring (ODP) the number reached 45,300 people. Meanwhile, for patients under surveillance (PDP) it reached 11,891 people.

Although the spread is still rife with the indicator that the number of positive cases continues to increase, it does not mean that the community is unproductive. However, society still has to produce, but in a different way.

"We must remain productive but prioritizing the principles so that we are safe from COVID-19 means being productive and safe from COVID-19," said Yuri at Graha BNPB, Tuesday, May 19.

People must change their behavior to remain productive but promote and implement a healthy life according to government recommendations as a measure to prevent COVID-19. For example, using a mask when on the move and washing your hands regularly. This is referred to as a way of living when you are in a pandemic state like now.

"We can work, we can be productive, we can produce something we can work but what is new is that we are safe from contracting COVID-19 which we call the new normal in the current situation," Yuri concluded.