Thank God, There Are No Cases Of The Omicron Variant Of COVID-19 In South Sumatra

Illustration. (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 have not been found in South Sumatra based on the results of samples sent by the Health Service to the Ministry of Health's central laboratory.

"Until now there has been no (Omicron case)," said Head of Surveillance and Immunization of the South Sumatra Health Service, Yusri in Palembang, quoted from Antara, Saturday, January 22.

The South Sumatra Provincial Government will publish if there are confirmed cases of Omicron to increase public awareness.

Although there have been no cases so far in South Sumatra, he reminded the public not to relax the COVID-19 health protocol.

In addition, each district/city is also expected to intensify vaccination activities to increase coverage to 100 percent, both for the first and second doses.

So far, as of January 21, 2022, vaccine coverage for the elderly has reached 66.79 percent for dose 1 and 36.22 percent for dose 2 of the total target of 597.071 people.

For vaccines for children 6-11 years old, it has reached 48.01 percent for dose 1 of the total target of 899.622 people.

Meanwhile, the overall vaccine (health workers, public services, the elderly, vulnerable communities, and the general public, youth, children, and mutual cooperation) reached 85.90 percent for dose 1 and 49.23 percent for dose 2 of the total target of 6.3. million souls.

"Currently, we continue to intensify the coverage of vaccines for the elderly, children, and boosters," said Yusri.

Epidemiologist from Sriwijaya University Iche Andriany Liberty said that 100 percent vaccine coverage must be pursued by every district/city in South Sumatra to ward off COVID-19.

Not only for primary vaccines (dose 1 and dose 2) but also for booster vaccines, he said.

"We don't know the level of a person's immune system after being vaccinated, moreover the vaccines are carried out at a different time. It could be that what was done at the beginning has decreased immunity, so there needs to be a booster," said Iche.

Indonesia occupies the top position as the country that has the most cases of the Omicron variant in Southeast Asia.

The Wisma Atlet Kemayoran COVID-19 Emergency Hospital (RSDC) has treated 2,636 patients. Meanwhile, according to data as of January 20, 2022, the number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 2.116 people.

As of January 21, 2022, Indonesia is in the top position as the country with the highest infection of the Omicron variant, reaching 1.186 cases.