Jakarta's COVID-19 Positivity Rate Decreased in September 2022

COVID-19 cases in DKI Jakarta are declining. This has resulted in a downward trend in the COVID-19 positivity rate in the capital city during September 2022.

According to data from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, the COVID-19 positivity rate in the capital city reached 11.5% as of September 24, 2022.

This figure is lower than the previous month. As of August 24, 2022, the DKI Jakarta COVID-19 positivity rate was still at 17.3%.

Similarly, compared to two months prior, the DKI Jakarta COVID-19 positivity rate was still at 16.4% on July 24, 2022.

Although declining, the DKI Jakarta COVID-19 positivity rate remains above the standard or safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is 5%.

Epidemiologist from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Yogyakarta, Riris Andono Ahmad, assesses that COVID-19 is no longer a primary concern for the general public. This is related to the WHO's statement that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight.

Although the pandemic will transition into an endemic, Riris stated that the COVID-19 virus still exists globally.

"This doesn't mean that the pandemic is over and COVID-19 no longer exists and there is no transmission. It's not like that. COVID-19 still exists, and society will coexist with the virus," said Riris in a press statement on the official UGM website, Thursday (22/9/2022).

Riris stated that COVID-19 is a disease that is still being transmitted. However, the severity of infection when contracting this disease has significantly decreased.

Therefore, the public must remain vigilant against COVID-19 transmission. This can be done by wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands with soap.