Active Covid-19 cases increase to 60,000; third vaccine dose coverage only reaches 28.06%

The Ministry of Health reported that Covid-19 cases in Indonesia continue to rise. As of Thursday (17/11/2022), there were 7,822 new cases. In total, the number of active cases has reached 60,471.

Covid-19 deaths were reported at 38 today, bringing the total cumulative number to 159,291. The Omicron XBB variant is suspected to be the cause of the surge in positive Covid-19 cases in Indonesia in November 2022.

Citing *Katadata.co.id*, Omicron XBB has a greater capacity for faster and easier transmission, but this mutation is not considered to have higher fatality rates than the original Omicron variant. Based on existing cases and facts, this mutation is easily transmissible but does not have a high fatality rate. Transmission can occur through droplets or physical contact with infected individuals. Therefore, health protocols must be maintained.

To date, the Ministry of Health reports that 205,279,206 people have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, or 87.48 percent of the total target. Meanwhile, 172,143,717 people have received their second dose, or 73.36 percent.

Furthermore, 65,835,989 people have received their third dose or booster shot, representing 28.06 percent.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Mohammad Syahril, urged the public to immediately get vaccinated, especially those who have not received a booster shot, as they are still at risk of hospitalization. "Not just the elderly, those with comorbidities should immediately get vaccinated to protect themselves," said Syahril in a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (16/11), as quoted by *Antara*.