Corona Cases Translucent 200,000, These Are Epidemiologists Suggestions for the Indonesian Government

KOMPAS.com – Case of infection corona virus in Indonesia, it has exceeded the 200,000 figure, to be exact, 200,035 positive cases on Tuesday (9/8/2020).

Indonesia is in the 23rd rank of most cases in the world behind the Philippines and above Ukraine with a difference of about 40,000 cases Worldometers.

In addition to data on infection cases, Indonesia also recorded 8,230 deaths due to Covid-19. Meanwhile, there were 142,958 patients who had recovered.

Indonesia and the Philippines are the two countries in Southeast Asia with the highest infection cases.

However, although there were more than 241,987 cases of infection, the number of victims who died due to Covid-19 in the Philippines was less than Indonesia, namely 3,916 cases.

Also read: UPDATE: Again Add Above 3,000, Covid-19 Cases Pass 200,000

Indonesian epidemiologist at Griffith University Australia Dicky Budiman assessed that there is a need for evaluation and changes in strategies related to handling Covid-19 in Indonesia.

This is to prevent cases of morbidity and mortality from increasing.

He also warned of the potential for collapse of health facilities due to an increase in virus cases Corona Indonesia, when the trend of increasing cases does not decrease.

Advice for the government

Dicky said that some progressive actions must be taken by the government so that the condition does not worsen.

Among them is to improve and improve testing.

His party suggested several things, namely active case detection with a target of 1 test per 1,000 people per week according to the standards set by WHO.

In addition, the announcement of test results can also be accelerated in less than 3 days.

Dicky also hopes that the positivity rate in Indonesia can be reduced as targeted by WHO, which is below 5 percent.

Also read: Corona Cases Pass 200,000, Epidemiologist: Change Strategy or the Worst Could Happen!

So far, citing KawalCovid data, the daily positivity rate is at 18.44 percent and overall it is still at 13.95 percent.

That means, from 100 people who are tested, the potential to find people who are positive for Covid-19 is between 13 and 18 people.

“Apart from that, the test should also be carried out evenly in all regions,” said Dicky.

He is concerned that if this is not done, the number of infection cases will double in the next two months.

Dicky again reminded that to mark the curve and according to him the priority now is the intensive, massive and aggressive implementation of testing, tracing, isolation.

“The success of overcoming the pandemic still depends on the strategy of testing, tracking, isolating and changing behavior. Drugs and vaccines do not necessarily solve the pandemic,” he said.

Testing is still weak

Suggestions for the government to strengthen testing and tracing were also expressed by Miki Salman, a volunteer at KawalCovid19.

Miki assessed that one of the problems with handling Covid-19 in Indonesia is that testing is still minimal.

Also read: Corona in Indonesia Translucent 200,000, These are 5 Regions with the Highest and Lowest Number of Cases

Apart from DKI Jakarta and West Sumatra, other areas are still lacking a lot of tests so it is not known how widely the outbreak has spread.

He assessed that tests on people who had close contact with those who were positive, the tracking rate should also be increased.

As for the positive rate, which is still large, according to him, this is an indication that the tests being carried out are less traceable.

“It should not be that big (positive rate). It means that we fail to control the rate of spread. It must be expanded to capture many people and ensure people who have close contact with those who prove positive. If you can be positive, it means that it is safe,” he said. .

Miki also reminded that in the midst of the easing in the economic sector by the government, his party considered that the government should not only rely on public compliance to comply with health protocols.

“But it should be followed by discipline enforcement,” explained Miki.

Also read: UPDATE: Covid-19 Case Translucent 200,000, Government Forms Vaccine Acceleration Team

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