A few months ago, the Jakarta administration “converted”the ibis Styles Jakarta Mangga Dua in North Jakarta, the U Stay Hotel Mangga Besar in West Jakarta and the ibis Jakarta Senen in Central Jakarta into isolation facilities for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

“Previously, the occupancy rate reached more than 60 percent. The hotel isolation facilities now have an occupancy rate of only 21 percent. We are grateful that the number has decreased," Anies said on Tuesday at City Council in Central Jakarta, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Meanwhile, hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the capital reached 55 percent, with a bed occupancy rate of 58 percent at intensive care units (ICU). The central government and the Jakarta administration has designated 98 hospitals in the capital as COVID-19 referral hospitals.

Anies said that, to date, no surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases had occurred since the cuti bersama(collective leave) over the weekend.

Previous data show that the surge in COVID-19 cases occurred one to two weeks after the two long holidays in May and August.

"Of course, we do not expect [COVID-19 cases] to increase, but there is a possibility," he added.

He reminded the public to always adhere to the basic health protocols of wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance and washing hands with soap.

"We have to remain vigilant and to the whole community, please wear masks all the time, wherever you are, and keep your distance and wash your hands regularly," Anies said.

As of Tuesday, Jakarta recorded a cumulative total of 107,846 confirmed cases, the highest nationwide, and 2,300 COVID-19 deaths.

Earlier, the Bekasi municipal administration announced that it would no longer use hotels to isolate asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, as the number of confirmed cases had gradually increased. The city is still categorized as a “red zone”for high risk of virus transmission.

On Saturday, the remaining 11 patients who were staying at the Green Hotel were relocated to Bekasi Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium, which is being used as an emergency hospital.

"The Green Hotel has not been extended [for use] as an isolation facility for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, because the average occupancy rate has been below 20 percent for one month," Bekasi municipal spokesperson Sayekti Rubiah said on Monday as quoted by tribunnews.com. 

The Patriot stadium emergency hospital has so far admitted 148 COVID-19 patients. Of that number, 23 patients are under treatment, 11 patients have been transferred to other hospitals and 114 have been discharged.

Data on the Bekasi COVID-19 disaster response website show that the city had a total of 6,854 confirmed COVID-19 patients and 143 deaths as of Tuesday. (iwa)