Jakarta (ANTARA) – Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has drawn attention to improved handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

“Our handling of the pandemic continues to improve. The number of confirmed positive cases and daily mortality continue to decline,” Sadikin remarked during a “Dynamics of the Medical Profession” press conference here on Monday.

Sadikin noted that the room occupancy rate in hospitals is currently below 10% and the positivity rate has returned to below 5% or normal.

This achievement was possible thanks to the cooperation of all parties, Indonesians and health workers.

“I want to thank all the health workers for their dedication, hard work and support to work together and serve the community and enable them to lead healthier lives,” he said.

Sadikin stressed that the contribution of health workers from various professions is important in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Insya Allah, we will begin the transition from pandemic to endemic,” he noted.

To this end, Sadikin urged all parties, including health workers, to focus on measures to control the pandemic and build a healthier Indonesian society.

He also noted that President Joko Widodo insisted on preparing a scenario to move from the COVID-19 pandemic to the endemic stage.

Sadikin believes that worldwide the disease will eventually go from pandemic to endemic, although it only needs preparation.

Referring to the history of pandemics around the world, several factors should always be considered when transitioning to the endemic stage, he said.

Meanwhile, the government’s spokesperson for COVID-19 management, Wiku Adisasmito, pointed out that the successful transition from pandemic to endemic is determined by the community’s safe behavior during daily activities.

“Basically, the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission is unavoidable. The best way to reduce the risk of transmission as much as possible is to close all possibilities of transmission, before, during and after,” he stressed.

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