Suppressing Death Rate Due to COVID-19, Anies Encourages All Parties to Pay More Attention to High-Risk People

Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan appreciated Jakartans and all sides who have followed up instructions from Jakarta Government and cooperated well in preventing and controlling coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission.

For all residents, please support elderly and people who have chronic disease by facilitating them, thus they don't have to go outside

This information was conveyed at Update and Daily Brief of Jakarta COVID-19 Response Team, Jakarta City Hall, Central Jakarta, Thursday (3/26).

He also encouraged all sides to collaborate with government, especially to be more concerned with groups of people who have high risk of developing COVID-19.

COVID-19 Rapid Tests in North Jakarta are Scheduled until Weekend

For information, elderly and people with chronic disease such as asthma, diabetes, and others have a high potential for developing COVID-19. From the death cases caused by COVID-19, most deceased patients are elderly with age 60 years and over and people with chronic diseases.

"In general, roadways in Jakarta are not as busy as regular days, it means citizens become more aware about the importance of staying at home. It can't be done by government alone. It needs cooperation from all parties. I appreciate all sides who choose to stay at home when they can do their work at home. There are several people who have high potential to develop COVID-19. Fatality rate for those people is quite high when they develop this disease. That includes elderly, people with chronic disease and others. Thus I encourage all residents to concern about their surroundings who are vulnerable," he stated as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release.

"For all residents, please support elderly and people who have chronic disease by facilitating them, thus they don't have to go outside. This must be done together. We also instructed RT/RW, PKK to help identify people with high risk thus they don't carry out activities outside and avoid potential transmission," he added.

Meanwhile, Jakarta COVID-19 Response Team Leader, Catur Laswanto explained, 604 COVID-19 patients have been cured and returned to their home. While 895 patients under investigation (PDP) and 291 patients are still being treated.

"To date, total number of positive patients has reached 495 people. 29 people have recovered and 48 people died. While 1,850 people under investigation (ODP). There are 457 people who are still being monitored and 1,393 people have been monitored," he stated.

Furthermore, it was confirmed 50 health workers who handle COVID-19 case in 24 hospitals in Jakarta were infected.

Related to this case, Jakarta Health Department's Disease Prevention and Control Division Head, Dwi Oktavia mentioned, rapid test in Jakarta will be prioritized for health workers.

Rapid test will also be used to accelerate contact tracing thus personnel can gain information of ODP and PDP cases faster.

"Rapid test will be focus on health worker first, especially those who have served patients in hospitals and puskesmas. Through rapid test we could know person's antibody status. Of course we can't just rely on rapid test, thus we will return to re-test those who have negative result at a certain time. For those who are positive will be re-checked to ensure their health condition and work safety," she conveyed.

"Yesterday, we have received 100 thousand units of rapid test kit for health workers and several people who are a part of contact tracing of confirmed cases or PDP in hospitals and puskesmas. Rapid test should be done carefully and selectively thus we can detect and investigate the suspects quickly," she asserted.