[ad_1]
JAKARTA: COVID-19 cases in Indonesia are forecast to exceed 100,000, an expert from the government’s pandemic task force said on April 16.
At a press conference, Professor Wiku Adisasmito said the number of cases is expected to peak between early May and early June. This is based on predictions from experts, scientific institutions, and individuals.
“We have reviewed and combined all the predictions … The number of cases during the cumulative peak is 95,000. While in June and July, the confirmed cumulative cases will reach 106,000, ”he said.
READ: Locked in small houses and without conscience, Jakarta’s urban poor find it difficult amid partial closure
However, he noted that the number is not a rigid number, and the government expects the number of cases to be less.
As of Thursday afternoon, there were 5,516 cases of COVID-19 reported in the country with 496 deaths and 548 cases recovered.
Indonesia has one of the highest death rates in the world, between 8% and 9%.
TRY IN PROGRESS TO INTEGRATE DATA NATIONALLY
Since Indonesia announced its first COVID-19 cases on March 2, observers have criticized the government for failing to announce details of the cases and providing reliable and consistent data.
The government had initially explained that this was to avoid causing public panic. Earlier this week, however, President Joko Widodo instructed officials to provide transparent data.
READ: Indonesia’s first 3 COVID-19 patients talk about hate and stigmatization online
Professor Adisasmito said the government is working on this as quickly as possible.
“We are now integrating the data into the COVID-19 working group. We are working very hard to ensure that there is data integration at all levels within Indonesia, from the district level, the provincial level and the national level, “he said, adding that there are efforts to improve the validity of the data.
“As soon as we have all the data integrated and valid, we will inform the public about the situation.”
The Indonesian Medical Association warned that the crisis there is worse than officially reported AFP / JUNI KRISWANTO
PROHIBITION OF THE EXODUS OF IDUL FITRI WOULD HARM THE UNEMPLOYED: HEAD OF FORCE
Questions have also been raised about the central government’s decision not to impede the movement of people during Idul Fitri’s upcoming vacation, where many would generally leave big cities to return to their home cities, which could lead to the virus spreading even more.
Only public officials, military, police and employees of state companies are prohibited from participating in the Idul Fitri exodus.
Healthcare workers rest as they complete the swab tests for the coronavirus in Depok, south of Jakarta, Indonesia. Antara Photo / Asprilla Dwi Adha / via REUTERS
The head of the COVID-19 working group, Doni Monardo, said during the briefing on Thursday that the decision was made because the government wanted to protect those who lost their livelihoods in the cities.
“Those who lost their jobs entirely and those who were laid off … cannot sustain their lives for the next three to six months … If they remain in the capital city, it is almost impossible for them to obtain assistance (since their place of official residence is in the other provinces), “he said.
READ: Indonesia’s economic stimulus is not enough to stop layoffs, focus should be to contain COVID-19, experts say
“If they go back to their home villages, they will be able to get that (assistance) because they have their own agriculture … This will provide them with a little livelihood,” Monardo said.
During the press conference, it was also mentioned that the government aims to increase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to 10,000 tests per day, to improve detection of COVID-19 cases.
As of Thursday, the Indonesian government has evaluated some 35,000 people across the country.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
