As Long As There Are No Symptoms And Hospital Occupancy Rates Are Safe, Epidemiologists Consider Emergency Brakes In The Midst Of The Distribution Of The Omicron Variant Not Needed

JAKARTA - Recently, the number of cases of COVID-19, especially the Omicron variant, continues to increase in the community. Even so, the government is considered not to need to increase the level of Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) or withdraw the emergency brake.

"A rational decision. There is no need to increase PPKM or pull the emergency brake," wrote epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Pandu Riono via his Twitter account, @drpriono1 quoted on Sunday, January 23.

Pandu also said that the case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 could increase. However, the government should not panic to pull the emergency brake as long as there are no symptoms and the availability of hospitals is high.

"The #omicron cases may increase, but as long as there are no symptoms and the hospital occupancy still doesn't increase significantly, then there is no reason for an emergency brake," he said.

He also reminded that policy making related to limiting community activities must be in accordance with epidemiological conditions or the spread of disease. Pandu said the government could not hastily tighten a number of regions based solely on the threat of the Omicron variant.

"PPKM is in accordance with existing epidemiological conditions, not because of threats," he said.

As previously reported, the government's prediction of a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant is increasingly visible. Over the past three weeks, the number of patients has increased fivefold.

Two weeks ago, weekly COVID-19 cases were 1,501 cases. Weekly cases last week increased by 3,027 cases. Then, this week, weekly cases added 5,454.

"Currently, the number of national positive cases has increased in the last 3 weeks, increasing 5 times from 1,123 cases to 5,454 cases," said Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito in a virtual press conference, Thursday, January 20.

Wiku said that currently, more national positive cases were found from local transmissions, compared to foreign travellers.

"In fact, as of January 15, 2022, 63 percent of positive cases were local transmissions, while the data for overseas travelers showed an increase," he said.

Wiku said that this week, there were 8,605 active cases of COVID-19. This figure is up by more than 3,000 cases compared to last week's 5,494 cases.

Specifically for the Omicron variant, as of January 20, 1,078 cases have been detected in Indonesia. In detail, as many as 756 cases are foreign travel agents (PPLN), 257 local transmissions, and 65 cases are still being identified.

Furthermore, Wiku revealed that anticipating an increase in cases early on is the key to optimally preventing transmission. Wiku asked the public to postpone traveling abroad if it was not urgent.

"The public is also advised to maintain discipline in health protocols, comply with applicable regulations, such as the use of the PeduliLindung application, and fulfill the test requirements for activities and travel," he concluded.