Task Force Releases New Report on COVID-19 Cases

The number of COVID-19 active cases in Indonesia, as of 17 September 2020, was 56,720 cases, Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, has reported.

Wiku also said that 292 regencies/municipalities (56.8% of 514 cities/regencies in Indonesia) reported 1-50 active cases.

“We must also be aware that there are 11 regencies/municipalities with more than 1,000 active cases,” Wiku said during a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (17/9).

The regencies/municipalities are Semarang (2,591), Medan (1,475), Bekasi (1,407), Makassar (1,396), North Jakarta (1,124), Central Jakarta (1,109), West Jakarta (1,090), Bekasi Regency (1,080), East Jakarta (1,071), Surabaya (1,070) and Pekanbaru (1,023).

“In terms of demography, the regencies/municipalities are densely populated. They contribute to 26% of the total active cases in Indonesia. If we can pay attention to the 11 regencies/municipalities and the recovery process can be optimized, the number of active cases will decrease,” Wiku said.

For the record, most of the positive cases in Indonesia (55%) occurred in working age population, with the age range of 19 – 45.

In the meantime, the recovery cases in Indonesia are 166,686 cases or 71.7% (the global average rate is 72.6%). The highest number of daily recovery cases occurred in Jakarta province with an additional of 952 recovery cases and the cumulative recovery cases are 45,123 cases. West Java province reported an additional of 331 recovery cases (8,650 cumulative recovery cases) while East Java province reported an additional 281 recovery cases (31,866 cumulative recovery cases).

The average of this week’s mortality cases is 105 cases, 25% higher than that of last week. The mortality rate has also increased from 3% to 7% this week. Today, there are 122 additional mortality cases, with the cumulative 9,222 mortality cases.

“Based on the age group, 80% of the mortality cases occurred in those aged over 45. The people belong to the group must avoid leaving their houses, and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

The highest weekly mortality cases were reported in East Java province with 218 deaths, while the highest increase was in West Sumatra province. Surabaya, Semarang, Central Jakarta and Makassar have the highest death rates per 100,000 residents.

Wiku further said that mortality death in Bali province, Jakarta province and East Kalimantan province were high last week. Therefore, people with the higher risk are advised to avoid public transportation to prevent the virus transmission. (Communication Team of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana