Despite the increase in cases, the government retains full control of this variant of Omicron. Rise in cases relatively contained

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government has decided to extend the implementation of Community Activity Restriction (PPKM) in Java and Bali until January 31, 2022, and deemed the spike in cases in recent times to be always under control.

“Despite the increase in cases, the government retains full control of this variant of Omicron. The increase in cases is relatively contained,” said the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments, as well as the PPKM Coordinator for Java and Bali, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said Monday in an online press release.

Pandjaitan noted that the number of daily confirmed and active cases was still 90% below the peak of Delta variant cases.

“However, we cannot be overconfident and must remain vigilant. The key is to be disciplined,” he added.

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The minister explained that the daily number of COVID-19 cases over the past week has continued to rise. Based on data collected by the government, cases in Java and Bali dominate the daily increase in cases.

The increase in the number of cases in Java and Bali was the effect of an increase in the number of cases in the metropolitan area of ​​Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek). Meanwhile, in terms of PPKM level, there has been an increase in the number of districts and cities entering level 1.

Pandjaitan later noted that cases caused by foreign travelers (PPLN) were already less than 10% of the total number of domestic cases. Thus, it can be concluded that local transmission in Indonesia is more dominant than foreign cases.

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The government also continues to monitor the evolution of the positivity rate. Although overall, based on PCR and antigen test, the positivity rate is still below the WHO standard of five percent, but the PCR positivity rate has increased to nine percent.

“With these various developments, we also urge the public to be more vigilant. Always implement health protocols, wear a mask, reduce unnecessary outdoor activities and always use the PeduliLindungi app when conducting activities in places public,” he said.

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Furthermore, he noted that since the discovery of Omicron a month ago in Indonesia, no signs of an exponential increase in cases had yet been reported.

The bed occupancy rate (BOR) in Java-Bali is also better than that due to the Delta Variant period.

Daily death cases in all regions of Java and Bali over the past 14 days are also still at a fairly low level.

“However, again, the government remains vigilant, considering that the effective reproduction rate is starting to increase. Currently, the number of RTs in Java has reached 1, while it is above 1 in Bali”, did he declare.

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