West Papua Task Force Reports 7 Cases Of Variant Omicron From Sorong City

MANOKWARI - The West Papua Province COVID-19 Task Force reported seven positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection with the Omicron variant originating from Sorong City.

Spokesman for the West Papua COVID-19 Task Force, doctor Arnold Tiniap, confirmed the seven cases of the Omicron variant from the results of a sample examination at the Balitbangkes Jayapura Papua.

"The samples from Sorong City that were sent to Balitbankes Papua have been released. Seven samples have been confirmed for the Omicron variant," said Arnold Tiniap, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, February 16.

He said that since early February 2022, the West Papua COVID-19 Task Force had analyzed the threat of the Omicron variant with increasing daily cases in two areas, namely Sorong City and Manokwari Regency.

"To ensure the spread of the Omicron variant in the Manokwari area and its surroundings, the West Papua Health Office has sent 18 samples to the Jayapura Papua Research and Development Agency for inspection," he said.

This epidemiologist said the Omicron variant has a faster transmission rate when compared to the Alpha and Delta variants. However, the Omicron variant does not adversely affect fully vaccinated people.

"The key is only two, namely tighten the procedure and complete vaccinations," he said.

Meanwhile, currently the BOR status at the COVID-19 referral hospital is still below 50 percent, oxygen reserves are still safe, because on average people are exposed to mild and moderate symptoms.

"But people should not be careless because only vaccination can make us avoid severe symptoms," he said.

Based on the Daily Report of the West Papua COVID-19 Task Force, it is known that as of February 16, 2022, active cases in West Papua have reached 1,819 people, the highest in Sorong City with a total of 516 cases, followed by Manokwari Regency with 442 cases.

Then, Fakfak 278 cases, Teluk Bintuni 145 cases, Kaimana 134 cases, Sorong Regency 129 cases, Raja Ampat 73 cases. Wondama Bay 47 cases, South Sorong 27 cases, South Manokwari 11 cases, Tambrauw 7 cases, Maybrat 9 cases and Arfak Mountains Regency 1 case.