COVID-19 updates in Indonesia
It has been half a year since the COVID-19 outbreak began in Indonesia, and the number of confirmed cases still remains high despite local government efforts to minimize the spread of the virus.
Jakarta still remains as Indonesia’s top red zone, while Bali is seeing an increase in the number of cases since the island began to gradually restart its economy.
Current COVID-19 situation in the capital
Image adapted from: Indonesian COVID-19 Task Force
As of 7th September 2020, a total of 200,035 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic. Jakarta is currently still at the top of the list, with a total of 47,379 cases.
Since the number of transmissions within Jakarta remains high, the Jakarta local government has recently announced plans to add 11 hospitals to the list of healthcare facilities equipped to treat COVID-19 patients. However, the names of the hospitals have not been released at the time of writing.
In addition to the need for more ICUs and properly isolated patient quarters, Jakarta is also running out of burial plots in the city’s cemeteries.
Bali begins to enforce fines to protocol breakers, RSUD Sanjiwani closes ER
Image credit: Bisnis.com
It’s not just the capital that is feeling the impact of the pandemic. Two weeks ago, Bali announced that it had plans to enforce Rp. 100,000 (~USD6.83) fines to individuals who do not wear a mask in public and Rp. 1,000,000 (~USD68.30) to businesses that don’t implement health and hygiene measures. After two weeks of raising public awareness regarding the planned regulation, it was officially enforced on Monday, 7th August 2020.
While the fines areis deemed too low by some, it was introduced in hopes that more people would be encouraged to mask up when they leave their homes. According to the latest COVID-19 update, Bali has the 8th highest number of confirmed cases out of Indonesia’s 34 provinces – having reported a total of 6,385 cases.
RSUD Sanjiwani closes ER after two doctors and a nurse tested positive for COVID-19
Image credit: Ringtimes Bali
Businesses and tourist spots may have slowly opened in Bali, but recent developments call for the need to practice physical distancing and good hygiene. Sanjiwani General Hospital (RSUD) in Gianyar had to close its ER since Saturday, 5th September, after two doctors and a nurse tested positive for the virus.
Family clusters spark additional health concerns
Image credit: @pandemictalks
It’s not just public spaces such as hospitals, restaurants and workplaces we should worry about. The spike in family clusters has begun to spark health concerns. As summarized by @pandemictalks, family clusters have emerged in Bogor, Bekasi, Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Malang.
There are many factors that could have led to such a quick spread among households. One of them may be caused by family members – especially children – who leave the house without wearing proper PPE, potentially bringing the virus back home.
Visiting the homes of relatives and friends could also be risky, as there might be a tendency to loosen physical distancing and hygiene practices in the presence of those we know well.
It’s important to not take the pandemic lightly
The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, so it’s important that we keep practicing health and hygiene measures, even when we think we are in the safety of our own homes.
Also read:
- Bali enforces fines to protocol breakers
- Office clusters are a major concern during the pandemic
- Jakarta enforces progressive fines
Cover image adapted from: BIMC Hospital
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