Jakarta (ANTARA) - State Enterprises (BUMN) Minister Erick Thohir sought continued vigilance from the public to stop a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia.
"We all have to become more vigilant in the wake of a spike in the number of cases. This means many of us have started to become negligent," Thohir noted in his statement here on Monday.
Thohir, concurrently chief executive of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (KPCPEN), reiterated that his office remained committed to playing an active role in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We all know and believe that human life is more valuable than anything," he emphasized.
The government is currently striving to provide safe, effective, and quality vaccines at affordable prices, according to the minister.
"Vigilance and vaccination are concrete efforts and collective struggles to protect ourselves and the country and to end the pandemic, which necessitates support from all components of the nation. Now, let us continue to guard all of us. Do not get tired or be careless. Insya Allah, our efforts are a blessing," he stated.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had earlier alerted the provinces of Central Java and Jakarta that recorded a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases within the past few days.
"I reminded that we have two provinces which I think would need special attention owing to the drastic increase (in the number of COVID-19 cases) this week, in the past two to three days, specifically in Central Java and Jakarta," Jokowi stated at the Merdeka Palace here on Monday.
The president made the statement at a limited meeting to discuss the report of COVID-19 handling and the national economic recovery committee, with attendees comprising cabinet ministers.
Jokowi has instructed Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian to remind local leaders of their obligation to ensure public safety and protection.
"We have to evaluate this as to why the increase could be that sharp. Be cautious. According to the data I received on November 29, there was a 13.41-percent increase in the number of our active cases. Although it is still below the global average of active cases, we have to be careful since it increased as compared to the earlier weekly average," the head of state noted.
The number of active cases of COVID-19 last week was recorded at 12.78 percent on an average.
"The recovery rate was recorded at 84.03 percent last week, and now, it declined to 83.44 percent. This (the data) has worsened since the number of positive cases has risen as compared to the earlier weeks," he stated.
As of Sunday (Nov 29), the number of confirmed cases had reached 534,266, of which 445,793 recovered, 16,815 died, and 70,792 are suspected patients.
Jakarta registered the highest rate of positive cases, with 135,762 confirmed cases, after it recorded 1,431 additional cases as of Sunday (Nov 29).
East Java recorded 61,483 positive cases, followed by 54,997 cases in Central Java, 51,776 in West Java, and 20,552 cases in South Sulawesi.
The number of additional confirmed cases in Central Java Province reached 2,036 on Sunday.
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