The National Police Chief Asks For Maximum Control Of The COVID-19 Spike

National Police Chief General Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - National Police Chief Gen. Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo asked all parties related to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to make maximum efforts in anticipating the surge in the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 that is currently happening.

According to the National Police Chief, the positive number of COVID-19 has recently continued to increase, yesterday's data recorded 46 thousand positive cases. This figure is almost close to the peak of the daily positive number of COVID-19 in Indonesia which occurred in July 2021.

"Obviously this is a warning for all of us to get ready, although on this occasion we remind people not to panic. However, we must do our best to deal with this spike," said Sigit, quoted in a written statement from the National Police Public Relations Division, Thursday, February 10.

Sigit conveyed the request while reviewing the implementation of the acceleration of vaccination at the Sultan Suriansyah Building, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Kalsel), and it was also carried out simultaneously in 34 provinces that were monitored virtually.

The former Head of Criminal Investigation Unit explained that all parties must make maximum efforts in handling and controlling COVID-19. A strategy is needed to be able to suppress the daily number of positive cases.

Several strategies can be carried out by local governments and related parties, namely to accelerate vaccination with a target of 100 percent for each region, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly (elderly).

Sigit admitted that he received data for the national first dose of vaccination which had reached 98 percent, so it needed to be pursued to reach 100 percent.

Meanwhile, people who have carried out the second dose of vaccination, and have entered the six-month period, are required to carry out a booster vaccination.

"Because this is very important, because after six months the immunity level tends to decrease. So like it or not, a vaccine must be implemented to then increase immunity," said Sigit.

On this occasion, Sigit reminded the importance of vaccination, including the third dose of vaccination because it can avoid fatalities from exposure to COVID-19.

Based on the data he obtained, on average, those who had been vaccinated with the second or third dose could still be exposed to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, where patients tend to have no symptoms or have mild symptoms.

"Especially those who have not been vaccinated or who have not been fully vaccinated, especially the elderly or comorbid, indeed, some have experienced fatalities or died. Please remind your family, neighbors or people who are elderly to immediately vaccinate," said Sigit.

In addition to vaccination, said Sigit again, another important strategy is the discipline of health protocols. The public is advised to use a two-layer mask considering the spread of the Omicron variant is faster than Delta.

"One of the contagions that can occur is when people in crowds take off their masks," said Sigit.

Another strategy is to prepare a centralized isolation area (isoter). Sigit asked the regional leadership coordination forum (forkopimda) to prepare these facilities to accommodate people who have been exposed to COVID-19 but do not have a place of isolation at home.

By being in an isoter place, according to Sigit, it will be easier for medical officers to supervise and provide health services to the community.

"There (the isoter) is prepared by a doctor, the medicine is prepared to be checked every day. This will be much better than doing it independently, because the patient is a bit difficult to control and the risk of transmission does not occur, of course, it will be very difficult to control," he also said.

Sigit also asked the ranks of the National Police throughout Indonesia to reactivate the implementation of micro PPKM to monitor people in their areas who are carrying out self-isolation.

According to him, micro PPKM has an additional task of checking its territory, especially in areas where it is needed, some are isoman, which is closely monitored. “Check whether you have received medicine or not. Then it is controlled so that we can control the rate of the Omicron variant," he said.

Sigit also gave directions to all ranks who held simultaneous vaccination activities in Indonesia through virtual connections. Emphasizing preparedness and prevention related to the spike in the growth of COVID-19 cases.

Especially for the South Kalimantan region, the National Police Chief reminded the vaccination target of 21 thousand doses. The achievement of the vaccination target was due to the collaboration and synergy with the local forkopimda.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, appreciate the hard work of cooperation from the TNI-Polri and all regional governments, both provinces, municipalities and regencies who continue to work together to help accelerate the acceleration of the national vaccination program," said Sigit.