Epidemiologist Calls on People to Avoid Crowds in Preventing Covid-19 3rd Wave

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An epidemiologist with the Griffith University of Australia, Dicky Budiman, reminded the public about the Covid-19 third wave threat. He hoped the people would not be negligent.

"The people are asked to not being euphoric about the decresing Covid-19 case in Indonesia," he said in a written statement on Tursday, September 23.

The epidemiologist suggested people avoid events that possibly create crowds, considering Indonesia is still under the threat of Covid-19 case surge in the third wave. In addition, the vaccination has yet to surpass 50 percent of total Indonesian population.

"Health protocols [implementation] in an event is not a guarantee or a magic wand [in preventing coronavirus transmission]. Health measures will be effective when data or indicators are strong," Dicky said.

The indicators include testing, tracing and treatment (3T). If those are well implemented, then the health protocols will be strong. The risk of a surge in Covid cases is still high if it is not properly applied.

He pointed out the case surge during the face-to-face learning (PTM) when schools were finally reopened. That may prove that Covid-19 third wave is possible if the people are being negligent. The condition will become more complicated as public places such as malls or shopping centers are also reoperated.

"The third wave is highly likey to occur as our vaccination coverage is not yet over half of the total population," Dicky remarked.

Read: Emergency PPKM Not Strict Enough to Limit People's Mobility, Epidemiologist Says

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