The increase in COVID-19 cases has occurred again in a number of countries, including in the Southeast Asia region. Some countries such as Singapore have reported quite high spikes. You can see a glimpse of the comparison of the increase in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia and other countries in Southeast Asia here.
This spike in cases is suspected to have occurred due to new variants, called EG 5 and EG 2. These variants have again infected many people in Singapore and people in Indonesia.
Increase in Positive Cases in Indonesia
Referring to the official report from the Ministry of Health on December 14 2023, the number of confirmed active cases increased by almost 300 cases from the previous day. The surge is predicted to continue during the year-end holidays, due to public mobilization and density in several areas.
The total number of positive cases on December 14 was 1,499 cases, up from 1,219 cases the previous day. The total death toll, as of mid-December, was 6 people, and in November the number was 5 people.
This increase is certainly still small when compared to other Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand.
How Many Cases Have Occurred in Other Countries?
Referring to the data on the Ministry of Health’s website which was uploaded on December 17 2023, there are at least three countries that are experiencing a large spike in COVID-19 cases and must be watched out for.
The three countries are Malaysia, with a total of 3,600 cases, then Singapore, with a total of 22,000 cases, and Thailand, with a total of 1,340 cases. Malaysia itself recorded an increase of more than 50% compared to the previous week, and Singapore even up to 100% from the previous week.
Of course this must be a concern so that Indonesian people postpone their plans to travel to these countries in the near future.
Tips to Prevent Contracting COVID-19
Of course health protocols are still remembered by most people because they have become a new habit. So when in conditions like now, people don’t need to panic because they just need to re-implement the health procedures that have become a habit.
Use a mask, avoid risky areas, check yourself when you have symptoms and self-isolate if positive, postpone trips abroad, and complete the COVID-19 vaccination to strengthen the body’s resistance to this virus.