TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Family clusters account for 39 percent of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta: Anies
Change Size
An asymptomatic COVID-19 patient looks out the window while undergoing isolation at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium isolation center in Bekasi, West Java on Oct. 2. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
J
akarta Governor Anies Baswedan has warned residents of the capital to be careful of COVID-19 transmission from family members as citizens enjoy five consecutive days off until this weekend.
In a video address on Wednesday, the governor said transmission within families made up around 39 percent of confirmed coronavirus cases in the capital city, with 4,684 clusters infecting more than 36,600 people.
“This means there are a lot of infections that actually occur in our families, often because when we feel like we know [the other people], we don't use masks properly, don't keep a physical distance and don't wash our hands routinely,” said Anies.
With increased activities and interactions expected during the long holiday, Anies urged residents to comply with health protocols to ensure their safety.
“Remember, being with someone we know doesn’t mean that transmission stops,” he added.
Read also: Bali visitor number doubles ahead of long weekend
As Muslims all over the country celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on Thursday, the government has added collective leave days on Wednesday and Friday, making a total of five consecutive days off with the weekend.
Last week, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reminded the Cabinet members to prevent an increase in coronavirus cases during the long holiday, given that the previous long weekends in August had contributed to a spike of transmission in some regions.
Regional leaders in some cities and provinces, including in Jakarta, have advised their residents against going on a holiday trip.
The Health Ministry announced on Wednesday 844 new confirmed cases in the capital city, increasing the tally to 103,522 cases with more than 2,200 fatalities and 90,000 recoveries. With the highest number of infections among all regions, Jakarta’s cases make up more than one-fourth of the country’s total infections.
On the same day, Indonesia recorded a total of 400,483 cases, with 4,029 new infections and a death toll of 13,612, while 325,793 people have recovered.
