The number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia burgeoned significantly over the past 2.5 months, Doni Monardo, the Task Force head for COVID-19 Handling, concurrently the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) head, stated.
"Last November, our active cases were the lowest, at 12.2 percent, and cumulatively, 54 thousand people (were infected). However, today or yesterday, the number of our active cases reached 123 thousand. This indicates an over twofold increase, or to be precise 122 percent," Monardo remarked while welcoming the arrival of 15 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine from China at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten Province, on Tuesday.
Indonesia will commence vaccination against COVID-19 by administering the Sinovac vaccine on Wednesday (Jan 13), with President Joko Widodo receiving the first shot.
The BNPB head noted that the vaccination program must run smoothly, with strict public discipline being ensured in applying health protocols.