Makassar Health Office Finds Dozens Of Suspected Cases Of Omicron

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

MAKASSAR - Makassar City Health Office, South Sulawesi, found a dozen suspected cases of Omicron infection, but they have not confirmed it because it is still being examined at the Health Research and Development Agency (Litbangkes) Laboratory of the Ministry of Health.

"The sample has been sent and is still being researched by Litbangkes. The right to announce that Omicron is Litbangkes," said Head of the Makassar City Health Office, Dr. Nursaidah Sirajuddin, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 5.

The samples sent to the Ministry of Health's Litbangkes in Jakarta, he said, contained 11 samples. It is currently being investigated whether or not the Omicron variant is true. So far there has been no further information from the results of the examination at the Research and Development of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia on this sample.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Makassar City COVID-19 Epidemiology Team, Ansariadi, said that Omicron appeared after mutating from the previous Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.

Although it has been predicted that a third wave of this virus attack will occur, including the Omicron variant, his party appealed to the public not to be negligent in implementing health protocols because it has become an obligation, one of which is wearing a mask when doing activities.

Although there has been no announcement of new cases of Omicron, especially in Makassar City, there have been suspects, although it is not certain yet, his party continues to remind the public that they need to increase vigilance because the spread is very fast compared to Delta.

Although there is a case of 01 Omicron in Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi. The infected patient from Aru Island, Maluku because he worked there, then brought him home, he said, this case must be a serious concern in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

One of the efforts to prevent the transmission of the virus is to strengthen the body's immunity through a complete COVID-19 vaccination, both doses of one, two and booster vaccines.

"Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize vaccination efforts for the community. The reason is that people who have been vaccinated have a stronger immune system than those who have not been vaccinated and can reduce mortality," he stressed.