Omicron Variant Local Transmission Case Appears, DPR Warns Watching Together AFF Cup To Have Strict Health Protocol
JAKARTA - Member of the House of Representatives Commission IX, Rahmad Handoyo, warned all Indonesian citizens to be aware of the emergence of cases of local transmission of the Omicron variant. He also asked the government to immediately put up a horse to respond to the emergence of these new cases.
SEE ALSO:
As is known, currently not all COVID-19 test kits can read the Omicron variant. A special marker called S Gene Target Failure (SGTF) is needed to find Omicron variants. So far, the use of SGTF is still limited, only installed at the entrances of arrivals from abroad.
Rahmad reminded the government to immediately take anticipatory steps by strengthening and tightening existing regulations. Especially when the New Year's holiday is in sight.
"Apart from the regulatory side, we also encourage the government to strengthen testing and tracing. The problem is, with the discovery of the Omicron variant through local transmission, indicates the potential for Omicron to have spread in various places. So, we have to be aware of this possibility," he explained.
Although there have been cases of local transmission Omicron, said Rahmad, the entrances from abroad, both by land, air, and sea, must be maintained.
Rahmad appealed to all parties to pay close attention to the development of the COVID-19 case. "This Omicron case is not a joke, this is a serious problem. COVID-19 is still dangerous and Omicron variants are in sight. Follow the provisions through health protocols. People should be able to refrain from taking vacations, both domestically and abroad," he said.
The Central Java legislator reminded again about vaccination for children, both aged 6-11 years and 12 years and over. And the elderly who need to be encouraged.
"The emergence of Omicron is a good momentum to make the vaccination program for children and the elderly successful," said Rahmad.
Previously reported, the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) announced that there was one case of local transmission of the Omicron variant.
Director of Direct Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said that one patient with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 had no history of traveling abroad and had close contact with foreign travellers.
"The latest case is a 37-year-old man who has no history of traveling abroad in the last few months or contact with foreign travelers," said Nadia in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, December 28.