Jakarta Deputy: Increase in Covid-19 Case Caused by Year-end Holiday Activities

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta deputy governor, Ahmad Riza Patria, suspected that the rise in Covid-19 active cases was the effect of Christmas and New Year holidays. As per January 7, the total case reached 1,394.

"I think this must become our concern, there's a significant increase in the past few days, that probably, among others, caused by the Christmas and New Year holidays," he said at the City Hall, Friday, Januari 7, as quoted by Antara.

Riza said the capital city administration continues to conduct efforts to suppress active cases. He asks the people to maintain health protocols in daily activities and be aware of the Omicron variant transmission.

"We don't want anymore increase [in Covid cases], we're trying to suppress and reduce [the number]. We definitely intensify the tracing, testing, and treatment like we used to, we try everything," he said.

Jakarta Health Department reported 224 additional active cases in the city, as per January 7, totaling the number to 1,394 cases. Of the number, 1,082 were international travelers.

The number of Covid-19 positive cases in the capital also experienced an increase to 300, which is the highest in province level. It followed by Riau Islands at 60 people.

In the past five days, Jakarta logged over 100 daily cases, which is the highest in Indonesia. On January 6, it recorded 267 cases, 259 cases on January 5, 115 cases on January 4, and 172 cases on January 3.

Read: Indonesia COVID-19 Update: More than 500 New Cases Again

Antara