Bali Health Office: The Rise in Bali’s Covid-19 Fluctuates

Foreign Tourists in Bali
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The government’s policy of relaxing entry rules has brought blessings to Bali. Foreign tourists are seen starting to crowd several tourist attractions in Bali. Then, what is the current state of the Covid-19 case in Bali? Head of the Bali Health Office, Dr. dr I Nyoman Gede Anom called the development of COVID-19 cases in the area over the past four days fluctuating,

“We don’t think this is a spike because there is an increase, but if there is a spike it means it continues to rise, while this is volatile,” he said in Denpasar, quoted on Thursday.

Since Sunday (19/6) the positive number of COVID-19 in Bali Province has experienced an increasing trend, starting from 27 daily cases, the next day on Monday (20/6) 37 cases, Tuesday (21/6) almost doubled to 65, and Wednesday (22/6) 56 cases.

This positive number has brought the Island of the Gods into the ranks of five regions in Indonesia that are experiencing an increase in the number of COVID-19, but Anom emphasized that people should not panic.

“I’m sure cases in Bali will go down again because people are well-known for being disciplined and obeying health protocols. Right now, most people still wear masks outside, despite the president’s advice that they may take off masks outside,” he said.

Recently, Bali’s tourism economy sector has started to rise, so that more and more tourists and foreign activities fill the corners of the district/city.

Until finally in May 2022, the first case of COVID-19 was found in the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, so the current increase in positive numbers is of particular concern.

“There has been an increase but it has fluctuated, it has gone up and down since four days ago. So many of these were tested because they went abroad, foreign tourists returned to their hometowns, some Indonesian citizens wanted to work outside, and finally, it happened to be positive,” said Anom.

Regarding the findings of recent cases dominated by foreign nationals (foreigners), he said it was not something to be afraid of.

“From the start, the average positive were foreigners, especially those who stayed in Bali for a long time, so there was no need to worry because on average they were also asymptomatic,” he said.

Apart from being asymptomatic, the Indonesian Ministry of Health has yet to provide information regarding the rediscovery of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 in Bali, although specimens are routinely sent to the Research and Development Ministry of Health.

Apart from the last four days, the positive number in Bali, according to data from the COVID-19 Task Force, continues to rise. As of Thursday night, 56 cases were recorded with the most findings in Denpasar City, after previously Badung Regency was ranked first.
Regarding the type of COVID-19 currently circulating, it still cannot be confirmed, because it takes quite a long time, even reaching 14 days.

“Now what is more important is how to prevent and reduce the number of illnesses and deaths from COVID-19, namely to prevent being hospitalized and dying, by administering a booster vaccine for all Balinese people,” said Anom.