COVID-19 Cases on the Rise Outside Java: IDI

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - There has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases outside of Java, in contrast with the declining trend in infections seen on the island, according to the Indonesian Doctor's Association.

"When we look at it, the declining trend of case numbers is happening not only in Jakarta, but we also received reports of this in Semarang, Kudus, Pati, and Rembang," head of the IDI's mitigation team, Adib Khumaidi, said at an online press conference streamed from Jakarta on Tuesday.

As an example, Khumaidi cited the declining bed occupancy rate (BOR) in Semarang, which is recorded to have reached 66 percent from 92 percent. Meanwhile, the BOR in Jakarta has gone down to 76 percent, and the BOR for intensive care units (ICUs) has dropped to 85 percent, he informed.

He said the association has also received reports of declining BOR numbers in Bekasi and Tangerang, although some increases have still been seen in some areas, including Yogyakarta and Surakarta.

Although the number has generally gone down in Java, there has been an increase in infections in areas outside of Java, he added.

The increases have been recorded in areas such as Jambi and Palembang in South Sumatra, in South Kalimantan, and in Southeast Sulawesi's Kendari, he informed.

The increases, he said, have been shown by a number of indicators, which include a spike in demand for oxygen tanks in the areas.

Read: Illegal Oxygen Tank Case Uncovered; Governor: 'Publicly Shame the Suspects'

ANTARA