BRIN: Omicron Local Transmission Increases COVID-19 Cases

ILLUSTRATION OF DOC ANTARA

JAKARTA - Researcher at the Eijkman Center for Molecular Biology Research and Innovation at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Amin Soebandrio said that if local transmission of Omicron continues, it will have an impact on increasing COVID-19 cases.

"If it happens continuously, it can certainly contribute to the increase in cases," he said, as quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 6.

Amin said that because the Omicron variant in Indonesia was classified as a case of local transmission, contact tracing and massive testing were needed to find infected cases and further prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to him, whatever the variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, the public must always follow the 5M health protocol, namely wearing masks, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds, washing hands with soap, and running water, and reducing mobility.

"The 5M must still be carried out because the Omicron was only discovered when the PCR was positive, then WGS (complete genome sequencing) was carried out," he said.

Amin said that the 5M must be carried out consistently because no one knows what variant is currently circulating in the community.

"So whatever variant we face, what we have to do is the same, namely 5M, 3T and vaccination," he said.

In addition to 5M, 3T (tracing, testing, treatment) or contact tracing, testing and treatment as well as vaccinations must be increased to fight the corona virus that causes COVID-19 and its various variants.

"5M, 3T and vaccination must go hand in hand," said Amin.