Poor Public Compliance with Health Protocols Fuels Jakarta’s High Covid-19 Cases

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JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Jakarta’s Covid-19 cases have once again broken records in daily infection rates as poor public compliance with health protocols appears to have fueled the spread of the coronavirus in the city.

Jakarta’s daily Covid-19 infection numbers reached 344, 359, and 404 on July 8, 11, and 12 respectively.

The capital city’s cumulative number of Covid-19 cases has reached 14,361 as of July 12.

Read also: The Price of Making a Living: 16pct of Jakarta Residents Open to Getting Covid-19

The Jakarta provincial government has increased the PCR testing capacity at its Covid-19 satellite laboratories.

Pandu Riono, epidemiologist at the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, said the spike in Jakarta’s Covid-19 cases is caused by poor public compliance with Covid-19 health protocols.

Pandu highlighted the three key Covid-19 health protocols which must be followed by the Indonesian public.

Read also: Jakarta Governor to Sharpen Focus of Scrutiny Ahead of New Normal

The first is to wear a mask, second is to observe physical distancing, and the third is to wash one’s hands with soap or hand sanitizer. In Jakarta, the three health protocols are known as 3M.

“The rise of Jakarta’s Covid-19 cases is due to the public’s lack of compliance with the 3M guidelines,” said Pandu on July 13.

Pandu is not opposed to the loosening of social restriction measures during Jakarta’s new normal transition.

However, the key to mitigating the spread of the Covid-19 novel virus is public compliance and regular Covid-19 testing through swab or PCR tests.

Read also: Indonesia Starts Domestic Production of PCR Test Kits

Pandu also suggested that the Jakarta provincial government continue conducting contact tracing of confirmed Covid-19 patients.

In doing so, the provincial government will be aware of how many residents have been infected by the virus.

“To control the Covid-19 virus, there needs to be a combination of surveillance and public behavioral change. The problem is in the public behavior, and that must be given more focus on,” said Pandu.

The recent uptick in Jakarta’s Covid-19 cases has caused the attention of Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Jokowi said that he received a report that the Covid-19 positive rate in Jakarta went up from 4-5 percent to 10.5 percent.

Read also: Covid-19: Jokowi Displeasure at Non-Performing Ministers May Lead to Cabinet Reshuffle

As such, the Indonesian president asked that the matter be addressed.

The losing battle in Jakarta’s new normal transition has forced the city’s Governor Anies Baswedan to announce the possibility of stepping on the emergency brake.

This would force Jakarta residents back into their homes as stricter social restriction measures are reintroduced.

In a YouTube video uploaded on July 12, the Jakarta Governor explained that if the situation continues, the city’s economic activities will stop as will religious and social activities. 

(Writer: Rindi Nuris Velarosdela | Editor: Sandro Gatra) 

Source: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2020/07/13/13204801/lonjakan-kasus-covid-19-di-jakarta-epidemiolog-kepatuhan-protokol