Omicron Has Entered Indonesia, PKS: The Government Must Prioritize Health With Scientific Considerations

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - A new variant of COVID-19, Omicron, was declared to have entered Indonesia after one of the cleaning staff at the Wisma Atlet was confirmed positive for the virus from South Africa. A member of Commission IX of the DPR from the PKS Fraction Kurniasih Mufidayati reminded the government that scientific and health considerations should be the main considerations. in response to the entry of the Omicron variant into Indonesia.

The government, he said, must also be consistent with policies that do not confuse the public. Moreover, information about the Omicron variant is also a concern for the public.

"Whatever the government's response in the form of policies to deal with Omicron must prioritize health and be science-based. This is a health crisis, so health considerations must be the main consideration," said Kurniasih, Thursday, December 16.

The PKS politician asked the government to prepare all forms of mitigation related to the transmission of this new variant. Starting from intensifying tests as a first step, quarantine facilities as part of prevention, readiness of health facilities for treatment to more intensive efforts in vaccination.

Mufida urged that tracing be carried out on all close contacts of the first confirmed case and continued with massive tests as a mitigation effort. According to him, comprehensive protection is needed for people who are undergoing self-quarantine and officers, especially at Wisma Athletes.

"The point is to re-massize 3T as an initial response. One Wisma Atlet officer has confirmed the Omicron variant without symptoms, it is very possible that there are other cases without previous symptoms. Moreover, the nature of this variant is faster transmission. Early mitigation must be carried out because the momentum coincides with the Nataru holiday, "said Mufida.

Mufida assessed that one of the crucial jobs to deal with this variant is to intensify testing and then conduct a centralized quarantine for those who are confirmed positive. Although it is called mild symptoms, he said, but the readiness of health facilities in dealing with this variant should not be negligent. Moreover, one case of death from this variant has been found in the UK.

"The health facility crisis during the Delta variant yesterday should be an alarm. However, the report shows that there are still symptoms due to this variant, meaning that medical action is still needed in handling the Omicron variant," he said.

According to him, the acceleration of vaccination has started to be doubled until the end of the year. "The inclusion of Omicron can be a trigger for the acceleration of this vaccination until 70 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated with two doses," said Mufida.