Guessing The Origin Of The Omicron Variant Entering Indonesia
JAKARTA - The first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Indonesia was identified in a janitor at Wisma Atlet. Although the first patient of the Omicron variant in Indonesia was asymptomatic and is currently negative.
Surprisingly, the janitor could be infected even though the patient had no history of traveling abroad. So where did this patient come from?
This question at the same time brings back various conjectures and predictions that in fact the Omicron variant has existed since before in Indonesia, it's just that it was not detected.
However, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed that there was no evidence of community transmission. This means, he said, no cases of transmission have been found in the country.
"The infected person happens to live in the Wisma Atlet dormitory, so we are isolated in the dormitory. So far, we have not seen any community transmission," said Minister of Health Budi, Thursday, December 15.
Following these findings, the government is currently implementing a lockdown at the Wisma Atlet. Lockdown applies for the next 7 days as a mitigation effort, preventing local transmission.
In addition to one confirmed case, the Minister of Health also informed that there were 5 probable cases of the Omicron variant. Probable cases were found in two Indonesian citizens (WNI) and three foreign nationals (WNA).
"Two cases of Indonesian citizens who recently returned from the United States and Britain. These two Indonesian citizens are currently being isolated at Wisma Atlet. The other three probable cases are foreign nationals from China who came to Manado. They are now isolated and quarantined in Manado," said the Minister of Health.
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"With the entry of Omicron into the country through the cleaning staff at the Wisma Atlet, it certainly gives a message that it is true that the most likely point of transmission is through the entrance by air, in this case, those who have just returned from abroad. Maybe they have already carried the Omicron virus and Then it hit a janitor," Melki told reporters, Thursday, December 16.
Even so, the Golkar politician appreciated the government's openness, through the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, regarding the discovery of Omicron in Indonesia. According to him, this announcement is important so that people continue to be vigilant in the midst of the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We need to appreciate it because this openness is important so that all of our people remain vigilant, anticipatory, and disciplined in seeing the developments that occur," said Melki.
Furthermore, Melki asked the government through the Ministry of Health to tighten tracing in detecting the Omicron variant. On the one hand, the public is also advised to further tighten the application of health protocols (prokes).
"For all of us, citizens, so that after it was officially announced that Omicron is already in the country, we will tighten and discipline-related procedures, we must tighten and be disciplined in carrying out all of this. at the entrance for foreigners or Indonesian citizens who have just arrived, then testing and tracing must be expanded throughout the country," said Melki.
The legislator for the NTT constituency encouraged the government to continue to ensure that the handling of Omicron is under control, one of which is by increasing health facilities and drug supplies.
"Then we must make sure that the preparation for handling and treatment is now ready, both in hospitals and other facilities, the readiness of the drugs needed, facilities and infrastructure for handling COVID-19 must be well prepared," said Melki.
Melki also appealed to the public to work together to prevent Omicron from spreading in the country as the Christmas holidays and the new year 2022 are approaching. "We will soon have Christmas and New Year holidays. We are preparing everything well so that the community can work hand in hand to prevent the spread of Omicron in the country. Indonesia," said Melki.
"I believe that with our synergy, all of us, Omicron, will be able to pass well, as we did yesterday through the Delta variant," he concluded.