The Deputy Minister Of Health Estimates The Increasing Trend Of COVID-19 Beyond The Second Wave

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono estimates that the current trend of increasing COVID-19 cases has the potential to be slightly higher than the peak of the second wave of cases in July 2021.

"We are still learning to see from the experiences of various countries. Our country will probably be a little higher than the peak of the Delta yesterday," said Dante Saksono Harbuwono, quoted by Antara, Thursday, February 3.

Dante made this statement when answering reporters' questions regarding when the peak of the third wave occurred.

According to Dante, public compliance with health protocols has also contributed to the trend of increasing COVID-19 cases in Indonesia.

The Deputy Minister of Health said that the current trend of increasing COVID-19 cases could not be separated from the influence of the Omicron variant, which is characterized by rapid transmission and massive nature.

However, Dante ensured the government's readiness to control the spike in cases, armed with experience in dealing with the Delta variant wave last year.

Dante said that in July 2021 there were reported to be around 57,000 cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19. While the Omicron variant is currently estimated to be around 100-150 more cases per day.

"If yesterday (Delta) reached 57 thousand cases per day, maybe now it is around 100-150 more cases per day," he said.

Dante encouraged people with mild symptoms to self-isolate at home. So that services at the hospital are focused on those with moderate and severe symptoms.

"If the symptoms are moderate, it is if there are comorbidities, the elderly and oxygen saturation drops. Apart from that (symptoms) it is better to isolate at home," he said.