President Jokowi Urges Riau Islands Leaders to Monitor Fluctuation in COVID-19 Cases

President Jokowi gave directives to representatives of the Riau Islands Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) (19/05/2021). (Photo by: Press Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

In a bid to strike a balance in policy making in healthcare sector and economic sector, fluctuation in transmission pattern of COVID-19 cases should be thoroughly monitored not only by the Central Government but also regional governments, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

The President made the statement in his directives on COVID-19 handling to representatives of Riau Islands Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimpa) at Riau Islands Province Regional Building in Tanjungpinang City, Wednesday (19/05/2021).

On that occasion, the President also reminded those who attended the forum that the number of COVID-19 active cases in the province has increased by up to 2,015 cases in April and May this year.

In the meantime, the number of active cases in August last year in Riau Islands reached 362 cases and it raised up to 1,240 cases in October despite a downward trend in February.

The Head of State also pointed out that all government elements share the same responsibility in contributing to improve the ratio of COVID-19 patient recovery in order to decrease and stop the number of casualties affected by COVID-19.

The President also urged regional governments in Riau Islands province to pay attention to every detail of the cases in each region.

For the record, recovery rate for COVID-19 patients in Riau Islands currently reached 83 percent, lower than national recovery rate at 92 percent. Meanwhile, the percentage figure in Lingga regency (one of the regencies in the province) reported lower than the province’s percentage, which is at 32 percent.

“Today, I am presenting these data to remind all elements that this issue needs our attention,” President Jokowi added.

The President also expressed belief that the regional economic recovery will suit follow if the handling of healthcare sector is carried out well, adding that serious efforts to collaborate are also necessary to achieve the goal. (Press Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AP/EP)