East Java Prepares Omicron Variant Anticipation Scheme

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION VIA ANTARA

SURABAYA - Head of the East Java COVID-19 Curative Task Force, dr. Joni Wahyuhadi stated that his party had prepared a number of schemes to anticipate the entry of the Omicron variant into the local area.

"So the governor has said many times that although COVID-19 cases have decreased, we still have to be vigilant, especially the entry of the Omicron variant," he said when met at the Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University in Surabaya, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, December 22.

Joni emphasized that the East Java Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkipimda) had also held a meeting at the local police headquarters some time ago to discuss the threat from Varian Omicron that had entered Indonesia.

"At the meeting, it was discussed how to quarantine people from abroad, good surveillance was carried out, so that experiences like Varian Delta would no longer be repeated," he said.

Watching the new variant of COVID-19, he said, not only the government, but also the role of the community.

The East Java Provincial Government, he said, continues to promote COVID-19 vaccination by monitoring the availability of vaccines every day.

Joni emphasized that RSUD dr Soetomo Surabaya was ready if there was a spike in COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant, including preparing 350 beds for patients.

"Out of 745 bed capacities, 350 beds have been vacated for COVID-19 patients. The others are for TB and Diphtheria patients," said the President Director of RSUD dr Soetomo.

He assessed that East Java was quite ready to anticipate the impact of the Omicron variant, but it is hoped that the impact of the Omicron will not be like the Delta variant.

Meanwhile, the East Java Provincial Government hopes for the cooperation of all elements of society to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases in the local area at the end of 2021 and early 2022.

Based on the direction of the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, that towards the end of the year and welcoming the new year, people must remain vigilant, but not dissolve into panic.

It is recorded that 17,926 joint personnel will be involved, consisting of 9,960 Polri personnel, 1,863 TNI personnel, 3,346 personnel from the regional government and 2,757 people from the general public.