Bangkit Adhi Wiguna, Graven (Intern), Jakarta – An epidemiologist with the Gadjah Mada University, Citra Indriani, said that 80 percent of Indonesians may have been infected with the Delta variant of Covid-19.
"50% of the infection is asymptomatic, perhaps 80% of our fellow Indonesian has been infected by the delta variant," she said as stated on the university website ugm.ac.id, Monday, November 21.
That was why the herd immunity was achieved and the Covid-19 rate declined. The accelerated vaccination also helped to suppress the number of cases.
Currently, 208 million of Indonesians have received at least the first dose of Covid vaccines, and 88 million have been fully vaccinated. Therefore, the risk and damages caused by Coronavirus disease was declining, as data showed that most Covid-19 deaths and positive cases happened to unvaccinated people.
However, the epidemiologist warned of the potential third wave. Considering the previous Covid surges, a new wave of cases emerged after the relaxation of mobility restriction. "An increase of mobility is unavoidable, based on the last situation, a new wave emerges when mobility returns such as during Christmas, New Year or post-Lebaran (Eid) holidays."
Based on that, the implementation of public mobility restriction (PPKM) in higher level is needed. Even with the declining number of positive cases, the restrictions must still be uphold until either the virus is gone or everyone has been vaccinated.