Indonesia: Health authorities in Bali report highest number of daily COVID-19 cases on September 1 /update 35

Event

Health authorities in Bali reported the highest daily increase in confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases on Tuesday, September 1, with 169 new cases being reported on the island. The number represents the third-consecutive day that the island recorded new daily highs, with 129 cases reported on Sunday and 160 on Monday. Officials have yet to identify the cause of recent caseload spikes or indicate the possibility of heightened restrictions.

Bali's Governor Wayan Koster announced on August 22 that the reopening of the island to international tourism, scheduled for September 11, had been postponed. This came after an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

As of Wednesday, September 2, Bali has reported 5367 cases of the virus, and 70 associated fatalities.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.