Health Minister Budi Gunadi Highlights Covid-19 Surge in India

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi reminded the public to remain disciplined in carrying out the Covid-19 health protocols. He said the Covid-19 handling in Indonesia is getting better and the vaccination program is already running.

“India sees a significant increase in the number of positive cases when its vaccination program has succeeded and the number of cases dropped dramatically,” said Budi in an online press conference on Monday, April 19, 2021.

Budi said the Covid-19 spike in India was attributable to two causes; a new Covid-19 mutation and lack of vigilance. In Indonesia, although the mutated strains of the virus have also been found, there were still very few incidents, he added.

“Because they (India) have recorded a high vaccination rate and the number of confirmed cases has declined, they forget and become less vigilant. They relax the health protocols of wearing face masks, washing hands, and keeping distance,” said Budi. 

Indonesia recorded a downtrend in positive cases after the government enforces the micro-scale community activity restriction (PPKM) and holds the vaccination beginning February. The policies have also suppressed the hospital bed occupancy rate which previously jumped significantly at the beginning of this year. 

In this holy month of Ramadan, the government continued to ask the public to stay vigilant and even barred Eid homecoming.

“If we can maintain this, inshallah (God's willing) we do not have to experience what India is dealing with this Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr,” said Budi Gunadi.

Read: Daily Trends in Covid-19 Vaccination Drops during Ramadan: Task Force

EGI ADYATAMA