Remain Vigilant Against Infection During Major Events

The declining Covid-19 cases should be managed with caution against the risk of transmission, especially during major activities already scheduled to take place.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Mass vaccination of Covid-19 at the Candra Naya cultural heritage building (formerly Sin Ming Hui) on Jalan Gajah Mada, Taman Sari, West Jakarta, Tuesday (14/9/2021).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Over the last months of the year, several national events are to be held that risk drawing crowds. Testing and contact tracing should be further intensified so that the events do not become clusters of infection that lead to a surge in cases and overburden the healthcare system.

The events include the National Games (PON) in Papua, the Superbike World Championship in West Nusa Tenggara, followed by the Christmas and New Year holidays. In regions with relaxed public activity restrictions (PPKM), malls and tourist destinations have partially opened, while in-class learning has resumed with limitations.

“The easing of public activities should be accompanied by intensified public testing and tracing. This is important to enable the immediate discovery of cases of infection in society and prevent the further spread of the virus,” said Irwandy, the head of the Hospital Management Department of the School of Public Health at Hasanuddin University in Makassar, who was contacted on Tuesday (14/9/2021).

Also read:

> Caseloads Decline, Entry Points Still Under Tight Control

> Optimize PeduliLindungi App

On 14 September, the Health Ministry recorded that 185,722 had been tested for Covid-19. In a week, the ratio of close contacts traced for every confirmed Covid-19 case was 1:8.89. The highest ratios of tracing were in East Java (1:14.7), North Sumatra (1:14.0) and Jakarta (1:11.0). The regions with the lowest tracing ratios were North Maluku, Maluku and North Kalimantan.

Irwandy added that caution against Covid-19 transmission should be continuously heightened. The public should also remain braced for the possibility of another case spike.

In a number of countries, case surges have occurred although most of their populations have been vaccinated. So, despite the importance of vaccination, it is not the primary guarantee against rising cases.

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim (right) observe a face-to-face learning simulation at SD Muhammadiyah Jogokariyan, Yogyakarta City, Tuesday (14/9/2021). Nadiem stated that schools in areas that apply the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Level 1-3 are allowed to hold limited face-to-face learning.

Separately, Covid-19 task force spokesman Wiku Adisasmito said the government would keep increasing efforts to control Covid-19. PPKM rules continue to be strictly enforced as long as infection cases are recorded.

“Our big task now is to maintain the [Covid-19 infection] curve that has been flattening. For this purpose, we should seriously observe health protocols and limit social and economic activities,” said Wiku.

He indicated that case surge anticipation was also carried out through rapid response in stepping up the preparedness of health facilities. The number of beds in Covid-19 referral hospitals is being increased along with supporting equipment and healthcare workers.

“Testing and tracing has also become the main focus. Testing is being expanded so that almost 1 million people are examined per week. More test laboratories are being set up,” added Wiku.

Also read:

> Provincial Synergy through Covid-19 Index

> Control, the Key to Living with Covid-19

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin again offered a reminder that the success of vaccination coverage would serve as an additional indicator for a region to have its PPKM level lowered. In order to lower the PPKM level from level 3 to level 2, he said, vaccination coverage should be 50 percent.

Vaccination coverage should be 70 percent in order to lower the PPKM from level 3 to level 1. “Vaccines are available until everybody is inoculated,” said Vice President Amin after inspecting the realization of vaccination against Covid-19 at Sinergi Sehat Vaccination Center organized by the University of Indonesia Alumni Association (Iluni UI) on Tuesday.

School reopening

Regarding the reopening of schools and resumption of in-class learning, Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim in Yogyakarta city on Tuesday warned that in-class learning should be conducted by strictly adhering to health protocols. Besides, school canteens are not yet permitted to open and extracurricular activities are not yet allowed either.

Nadiem said students could only resume in-class learning with the consent of their parents. Schools must not force parents to allow their children to attend face-to-face classes.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo asked regency/city administrations not to merely claim to be ready for in-class learning. He maintained that the preparedness of facilities and infrastructure as well as the observance of discipline in following health protocols should be tested and evaluated.

(TAN/WKM/HRS/DIT/CIP/KOR)