VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate has urged citizens to remain vigilant even though the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has declined.

"Along with the implementation of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Levels 4, 3, 2, in Java-Bali, we observe a downward trend in the positivity rate, patient care, (daily) confirmed cases, and mortality rates in almost all provinces in Java-Bali," Plate observed in a press statement released on Tuesday.

Currently, public mobility in Java and Bali has mostly returned to the way it was before the surge in infections caused by the Delta variant, he noted.

Therefore, everyone must remain vigilant and be extra careful so that there is no increase in cases in the next two to three weeks, he urged.

According to data from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, on August 15, 2021, Indonesia's confirmed COVID-19 cases fell 76 percent from the peak while active cases were down 53 percent from the peak.

The number of recovered patients also increased, while the number of deaths fell.

Based on President Joko Widodo's evaluation and direction, the government has decided to extend Levels 4, 3, and 2 PPKM in Java and Bali until August 23, 2021.

Under the extension, eight additional districts and cities have entered PPKM Level 3. Meanwhile, the number of regencies and cities that have entered Level 3 PPKM and Level 2 PPKM has reached 61.

Based on the results of field visits some time ago, the government has observed that some improvements still need to be made in several areas.

The government has made several interventions to control infections, including mobilizing self-isolated patients to isolation centers provided by the city and district governments and ensuring the availability of medicines and oxygen concentrators.

"The government continues to take various policies and intervention measures to control the pandemic. With these steps, we hope that there will be significant improvements next week, especially in Bali and Greater Malang," the minister said. (Antaranews)