Minister Of Health: Don't Panic Excessively Face Omicron

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin appealed to the public not to panic excessively in the face of the spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.

The reason is that in addition to milder symptoms, the government has also prepared various efforts to anticipate the third wave.

"There is no need to overdo it, the most important health protocol is to follow, wear a mask and not crowd," said the Minister of Health, quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 27.

In addition, said Budi, vaccination must also be accelerated, especially in DKI Jakarta. For this reason, he also asked the private sector to participate in vaccination activities by increasing vaccination centers.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, the Omicron variant in Indonesia as of Wednesday, January 26 reached 1,988 patients.

Budi said as many as 854 patients were symptomatic, 461 of them were asymptomatic or without symptoms, 334 patients were mildly ill, 54 patients were moderately ill and five patients were seriously ill.

Currently, he said, out of a total of 854 symptomatic patients, 86 of them are still being treated, 768 have finished treatment, 675 have recovered and three have died.

Regarding the readiness of health facilities, the government, according to Budi, has prepared 80,000 beds in various hospitals. This figure can still be increased to 150 thousand beds.

Meanwhile, according to the pulmonologist at the Friendship Hospital Erlina Burhan, the common symptoms found in the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 patient being treated at the government hospital were mild symptoms, such as coughing and itchy throat.

The Omicron variant, he said, is different from the previous COVID-19 variant, including mild symptoms, even without symptoms, but transmission is faster, which is almost five times and can "sneak" away from antibodies that have already been formed.

For those who are asymptomatic, he said, they can self-isolate at home, but those who are over 45 years old and have comorbidities should be hospitalized.