Expert Warns 'Covid-19 Curve Has Flattened But Crisis Not Over Yet'
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Petir Garda Bhwana
Rabu, 1 September 2021 07:29 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Griffith University epidemiologist Dicky Budiman on Tuesday urged Indonesians to not let their guard down despite government statistics seemingly show that the curve of Covid-19 cases has started to flatten.
According to him, the crisis period of the coronavirus delta variant on average can last up to 12 weeks, Antaranews reported.
“The peak has indeed passed but the crisis has not,” said Budiman in Jakarta on August 31. “It can last nearly to the end of September.”
He argues that the spread of the Delta variant in the islands of Java and Bali is far from over, especially after recent findings uncovered new cases emerging in rural areas which can potentially pose greater risks in the future in terms of new viral mutations.
“We could face a greater threat that would likely be worse than the Delta variant coronavirus,” he added.
The epidemiologist acknowledged the government’s attempt to reduce the risk of spreading the virus by imposing public activity restrictions (PPKM) with the latest to be extended up to September 6. However, he noted that communication is one of the critical aspects the government must improve on.
“The communication must be improved that can help the public understand that the PPKM extensions are for their own protection,”
Read: PPKM Extended; Govt Relaxes Rules on Shopping Malls, Restaurants
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