No Need to Panic, Dinkes Tells People to Stay Vigilant and Avoid Covid-19 Rumors

The Jakarta Health Agency (Dinkes), urged residents not to panic in responding to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, as they are currently in a state of transition or changing seasons.

The increase in new cases is due to the change in seasons and decreasing levels of antibodies against the Covid-19

Epidemiological Surveillance and Immunization Section Head, Ngabila Salama said He said there were 131 new positive Covid-19 cases in Jakarta and zero deaths from December 11 to 13.

While, 44 out of 135 Covid-19 patients consisted of 32 cases with symptoms are being treated in isolation rooms and 12 cases are being treated in the ICU.

Dinkes: Trend of Covid Arcturus Cases Decreasing

"The increase in new cases is due to the change in seasons and decreasing levels of antibodies against the Covid-19 virus," she expressed, Thursday (12/14).

During the current pandemic, there was no need to limit activities due to the increase in new Covid-19 cases.

"The Jakarta Government is currently also focusing on encouraging residents to maintain their health, providing four vaccinations, and free PCR examinations as well as early detection specifically for vulnerable groups," she explained.

She explained that vulnerable groups infected with Covid-19 have a greater chance of dying, namely those aged 50 years and over, who have not been vaccinated, and who have comorbidities, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, stroke, heart disease, chronic kidney failure, cancer, tuberculosis, and HIV.

"People who have not been vaccinated or have immunodeficiency also have the opportunity to create new virus mutations. It is true that the Covid-19 virus will continue to mutate to become more contagious, but it should not cause anything worse, in fact the symptoms will be milder. However, it can be serious in people who have not been vaccinated or have comorbidities," she explained.

She continued giving a booster vaccine would increase the number of antibodies to kill the Covid-19 virus that enters the body. The Health Agency (Dinkes) has also currently opened a vaccination service which is held Monday to Saturday.

"Residents who want to receive vaccination services can check on Instagram @dinkesdki, come directly without registering by including their KTP throughout Indonesia. The available vaccines are safe, halal, high quality," he stated.