COVID-19 Task Force Tells Regional Governments to Optimize PPKM Mikro as Cases Rise

INDUSTRY.co.id - In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in which six provinces in Java island have seen spike in the number of COVID-19 cases recently, the COVID-19 National Task Force has ordered regional governments to optimally implement micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro).

Spokesperson of the COVID-19 National Task Force Wiku Adisasmito Tuesday (22/06/2021) said that every single policy that is made must be based on a valid data to handle the pandemic and control spike in cases.

Report on 20 June 2021 shows that six provinces in Java island recorded the highest increase in COVID-19 cases namely Capital Jakarta (20,634 cases or 387 percent), West Java (8,382 cases or 115 percent), Central Java (5,896 cases or 105 percent), East Java (2,852 cases or 174 percent), Special Region of Yogyakarta (2,583 cases or 197 percent), and Banten (967 cases or 189 percent).

These spikes made the national weekly rise in cases reached 92 percent. In addition, the rise in COVID-19 cases also increase the ratio of bed occupancy in hospitals or the Bed Occupancy Ratio (BOR). Only the BOR in East Java province that reached 66,67 percent, while the other five provinces recorded BOR of above 80 percent.

Wiku underscored that the increase in the number of confirmed cases must serve as a good reason to evaluate policies in handling COVID-19. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the policies, especially the implementation of PPKM Mikro, all elements of the communities and stakeholders must carry out their duties and functions properly, he said.

Wiku also highlighted many villages and sub-districts that still do not have COVID-19 handling posts yet, potentially creating obstacles in handling the pandemic and in achieving the target of PPKM Mikro at the regional level.

“We have to bear in mind that (tackling) COVID-19 is akin to racing against the time and life and death are at stake. If regional governments can take anticipatory measures as early as possible, they can save lives,” Wiku remarked.