COVID-19 Spike in Jakarta to Peak During Christmas, New Year

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Health Office predicted the COVID-19 cases would spike for the upcoming two weeks, overlaps with Christmas and New Year holidays. As an anticipation, the office will keep observing the development of COVID-19 daily cases.

"The peak is estimated to occur in two weeks," Ngabilah Salma, the head of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Immunization Section told Tempo in a brief text on Thursday.

However, she urged residents to stay calm and continue to implement health protocols while doing activities outdoors. She added that there is no special policy or limitations during the year-end holidays.

"The people are responsible for their own health," she said. "The government will keep recommending to tighten health protocol and provide free vaccination, PCR swab, and treatment."

According to Ngabila, the COVID-19 spike occurs twice a year. It often happens simultaneously with the transitional season which lowers the immune system.

The Jakarta government is focusing on urging residents to complete their 4th booster vaccination and early detection of COVID-19 for vulnerable groups. "Since they have a greater risk of mortality," she said.

The vulnerable group consists of the elderly, those foregoing vaccination, and people with comorbid hypertension, stroke, health problems, chronic kidney issues, cancer, HIV, and TB.

Ngabila believed that people foregoing COVID-19 vaccination or immunodeficient have bigger chances to create new mutations of the virus. 

People currently sick with coughing and runny nose are recommended to postpone their vaccination until they fully recover. Meanwhile, people who are infected by COVID-19 may be vaccinated a month after recovery. COVID-19 vaccination has a 14-day gap with other vaccinations.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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