Government Alerts To Possible Omicron Variant Detected Without Foreign Travel History

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for COVID-19 Vaccination, Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi stated that the government continues to anticipate the emergence of the Omicron variant in the country even though there is no history of travel abroad.

"We are still tightening at the entrance to the country, but we are still being careful because of the possibility of the Omicron variant being detected without a history of traveling abroad," said Siti Nadia Tarmizi in a dialogue themed "Discipline of Masks and Vaccinations to Prevent Omicron," which was followed by in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Tuesday, December 7.

She said that in several countries that reported the presence of Omicron, such as Spain and the United States, it was known that Omicron variants appeared without any history of foreign travel from those exposed.

"This means that it is our concern to be careful. What is certain is that we have to be careful with new variants like the Omicron," she said.

Currently, about 45 countries in the world report the presence of the Omicron variant. This means that it has spread quite quickly since its appearance was reported on November 24 this year. And November 26, 2021, the Omicron variant is included in the Variant of Concern (VoC).

She reminded that the elderly group has the potential to be most affected by the Omicron variant as happened in Germany.

"As in Germany and in many other countries it is the elderly group that will be most impacted," she said.

Therefore, Nadia said, the government will prioritize the elderly group to get a booster vaccine.

On the same occasion, Biostatistics Epidemiology FKM Airlangga University, Windhu Purnomo said that until today, the characteristics of the Coronavirus B.1.1.529 or the Omicron variant are not known for sure.

"Until today, WHO doesn't know exactly. Whether it's more dangerous than Delta, more infectious, or deadly, we don't know exactly. But whatever it is, don't let it enter Indonesia," he said.

However, he conveyed, the mode of transmission of the Omicron variant is the same as other variants of the Coronavirus. So, the way to prevent it is the same.

"If we don't want new mutations to occur, then we carry out health protocols. As long as there is transmission, the risk of mutation will arise. So don't let the virus transmit," he said.