VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto visited the Kemayoran Athletes Village COVID-19 Emergency Hospital to encourage and support health workers on the day Indonesians celebrated 76th Independence Day on Tuesday.

"They have worked hard to treat the patients in this COVID-19 emergency hospital as well as other TNI and National Police (Polri) hospitals," he was quoted as saying in a written statement that ANTARA received here the same day.

On the occasion, the TNI Commander along with National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Lt.Gen Ganip Warsito, and Jakarta Military Command Chief Major General Mulyo Aji lauded health workers for their dedication amid the pandemic.

The health workers are willing to also assist the vaccination program throughout Indonesia, Tjahjanto said.

"Furthermore, they have distributed medicines, social assistance, and basic necessities packages as well as set up public kitchens," he added and emphasized that dealing with the pandemic requires the cooperation of all institutions and community groups.

"Thanks to the collaboration among all national components. Currently, the number of confirmed cases is starting to fall," he noted.

The TNI Commander informed that the highest number of cases were recorded on July 15, 2021 at 56,757. However, on Monday (August 16, 2021), the number had fallen to 17,384 cases, he noted.

"Meanwhile, the highest bed occupancy rate in Kemayoran Athletes Village COVID-19 Emergency Hospital reached 97 percent on July 30 (2021) with 7,167 patients. However, currently, the occupancy rate is recorded at 19.04 percent with 1,503 patients,” he said.

However, he asked citizens to remain careful as the infection rate is still at 15.95 percent.

Moreover, he also noted that the massive tracking efforts made by TNI and Polri officers as well as volunteers were among the factors that helped check the increase in positive cases.

"Once again, I express my highest gratitude and pride to all TNI soldiers, Polri officers, BNPB officers, health and non-health workers, regional governments, as well as public organizations as you all have worked tirelessly to deal with the pandemic," Tjahjanto remarked. (Antaranews)