COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Urges Public to Follow Health Protocols

Spokesperson for COVID-19 Task Force Reisa delivers a statement in a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Friday (18/9). Photo by: BPMI

Spokesperson for COVID-19 Task Force Reisa Broto Asmoro has urged the public to follow health protocols to break the chain of the pandemic in Indonesia.

Reisa said that data from Ministry of Health, as of 18 September 2020, showed 4,088 daily recovery cases, the highest number since the first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia.

“Currently, the recovery rate is approximately 71%, meaning that 7 out of 10 people with COVID-19 have recovered,” Reisa said during a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Friday (18/9).

The total number of patients recovered has reached 170,774 cases while the active cases have reached 56,409 cases.

“The main important thing for us is to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission. Let’s continue to follow health protocols,” she said.

President Jokowi, Reisa added, had instructed regional governments to be prudent in making policy. According to Reisa, the President had instructed regional governments to use data on the distribution of cases in making policy and to prevent transmission by restricting activities.

“If an area, regency/city reports local transmissions, we should restrict the activities,” Reisa said.

She went on to say that in a bid to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Government has implemented testing, tracing and treatment. In the context of tracing, the Ministry of Health had found more than 1,000 clusters.

Reisa said that the cluster can occur at home, work place, or other crowded places. It happens when a person contracts COVID-19, and does not implement strict health protocols, and infects other people.

Regarding COVID-19 testing, the number of daily testing is increasing. Data from Ministry of Health has recorded more than 10,000 tests per 1 million population.

Reisa further said that COVID-19 patients handling and treatment in various health facilities have been carried out in the best possible manner.

She also urged the public to follow health protocols, including by washing hands, keeping a distance, and avoiding crowds. (Communication Team of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana