Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry strengthened COVID-19 surveillance networks across the country's regions to maintain vigilance against a potential surge in cases during the transition period to endemic.
"Strengthening surveillance throughout Indonesia, such as transiting from the 'case-based nation whole surveillance' to 'sentinel surveillance'," Health Ministry's spokesperson, Mohammad Syahril, remarked here on Thursday.
According to Syahril, sentinel surveillance aims to monitor cases in all countries and compare them to the case rate in the nation, with the objective of achieving a more accurate report of the situation.
Another step to reinforce surveillance is to integrate the supervision of COVID-19 cases with the ILI / SARI method, or the Severe Acute Respiratory Infection, which contains epidemiological information to be monitored by health offices in controlling the case rate.
Related news: Need higher booster dose coverage to enter endemic stage: Ministry
"The Health Ministry also strengthens Community-Based Surveillance that is integrated with the Self-Awareness and Response System (SKDR) in local health centers (puskesmas) and surveillance system based on hospital reports," he remarked.
Meanwhile, more severe cases of COVID-19 will be monitored through SARI.
"Environmental Surveillance (ES) will also be a system that will be developed," Syahril stated.
Related news: Govt redistributes COVID vaccines to assist regions with low stocks
Based on the ministry's data, the rate of COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks has decreased consistently, from 2,298 to 1,692 cases.
However, the five provinces of West Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, North Maluku, and Bangka Belitung Islands continue to record the highest increase in cases nationally.
According to Syahril, Indonesia is currently preparing for the COVID-19 endemic phase. Nevertheless, vigilance against likely virus mutations is still exercised.
"Indonesia adopts six WHO strategies towards endemic, such as educating the public that the COVID-19 pandemic still exists and has risks and conducting the first, second dose, and booster vaccinations as well as securing the health care system," he stated.
Related news: Ministry's relocation scheme for tackling booster vaccine shortages
Related news: Bio Farma's IndoVac vaccine obtains BPJPH's halal certificate
