15 Jakarta schools remain closed due to COVID-19 transmission

So far, 15 out of 43 schools reporting COVID-19 transmission have not returned to the implementation of face-to-face learning (PTM) at 100-percent capacity, Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria has informed.

“Of the 43 schools that were closed, 28 schools have reopened, and 15 schools remain closed; hopefully, they will reopen in the near future,” Patria said at the Jakarta City Hall on Monday.

Based on data obtained on Monday, 43 schools had reported COVID-19 infections, he informed. The total number of cases recorded in the 43 schools was 72 and comprised 67 students, two teachers, and three staff members, he added.

Patria further said that with the increasing transmission of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, in Jakarta, his administration is considering all available inputs to evaluate 100-percent face-to-face learning (PTM).

The implementation of 100-percent PTM is in accordance with the central government’s policy that was promulgated through a joint decree (SKB) of four ministers, he noted.

According to the policy, provinces can hold 100-percent PTM if they are implementing Level 1 and Level 2 community activity restrictions (PPKM) and they have vaccinated more than 80 percent of education staff and above 50 percent of the elderly population, he noted.

“Meanwhile, in Jakarta, vaccinations for education staff are above 91 percent, elderly are above 71 percent, and even students (vaccinations) are 98 percent. This means that Jakarta meets the requirements, in accordance with existing rules. We thank you for all the input,” Patria remarked.

Regarding the increase in COVID-19 cases, including those caused by the Omicron variant, Patria explained that his administration is continuing to coordinate with the central government that is open to all inputs.

“We are also holding meetings internally in stages, periodically, and continuously,” he added.

Based on the latest data from the Jakarta Health Service, as of January 23, 2022, the number of active cases (people who are still being treated/isolated) in Jakarta has increased by 1,217, bringing the tally to 9,057.

Meanwhile, based on the results of PCR tests, a total of 879,307 positive cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the capital, with 1,313 cases caused by the Omicron variant. The Omicron cases comprise 854 cases detected in overseas travelers and 459 cases caused by local transmission.

Of the total number of positive patients, 856,653 have recovered, with the cure rate pegged at 97.4 percent, while 13,597 people have died, with the mortality rate recorded at 1.5 percent.

The positivity rate or the percentage of positive cases in Jakarta during last week was 6.6 percent, while the percentage of positive cases overall was 10.8 percent.

 

Source: Antara News