TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The recovery rate among COVID-19 patients in Papua has reached 96.7 percent, the regional COVID-19 prevention and handling task force has informed.

"It is true that the (COVID-19) recovery rate is high, which is 96.7 percent, or 41,352 people have been declared recovered from COVID-19," spokesperson for the task force, Dr. Silwanus Sumule, said here on Saturday.

Cumulatively, as of Friday, 42,763 people were confirmed positive for COVID-19 in the province while 41,352 people had recovered from the viral infection, he informed.

Currently, 0.5 percent or 195 people are still being treated in 16 districts and cities in Papua, he said.

Meanwhile, the number of residents who have died of COVID-19 is 1,216, or 2.8 percent, he noted.

Of the 16 districts and cities where patients are still being treated for COVID-19, Keerom district has recorded the most patients at 42, he said.

The recovery rate among COVID-19 patients in Papua has been high as most people confirmed positive have been asymptomatic, he added.

Although the recovery rate is high, the community must continue to adhere to the health protocols and carry out COVID-19 vaccinations, he stressed.

"Do not be negligent in complying with the process considering that the COVID-19 virus is still around us," he cautioned.

The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), as of October 23, 2021, at least 4,239,396 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,081,417 people have recovered, and 143,176 people have succumbed to the deadly virus.

Read: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Reaches 65.25 Percent in Medan

ANTARA