Younger Kids Dominate Children's Mortality From Covid-19 in Java: Indonesia Task Force

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito said that deaths from Covid-19 in children are dominated by younger kids aged five and under in Indonesia's Java provinces.

"In five provinces in Java, deaths are dominated by children under five, reaching about 30-50 percent of total deaths in children," said Wiku in a statement on Thursday, July 1.

Wiku urged the relevant agencies to suppress the coronavirus pandemic as children could become a vulnerable group if they were left unsupervised.

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Still in Java, the highest percentage of deaths from coronavirus is in the elderly due to the high number of comorbidities or inherited diseases, as well as the weaker immune system. 

"About five to 19 percent of the elderly who were infected by Covid died," said Wiku.

Therefore, it is necessary to limit the activities of the elderly, children, especially toddlers, and other vulnerable groups in public spaces.

In Depok city near Jakarta, the Covid-19 Task Force has prohibited pregnant women, the elderly, and toddlers from entering malls or shopping centers.

Wiku appreciated the step taken there and hoped that other regions would follow suit. He also called on parents to protect their children from getting infected by teaching them the importance of health protocols.

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