Minister Of Health Budi Predicts The Peak Of The BA.4 And BA.5 Omicron Waves To Occur In Mid-July

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi (Youtube screenshot)

JAKARTA - Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the government predicts a spike in cases of COVID-19 subvariants Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 will occur in mid-July.

This estimate is calculated from a distance of one month after the findings of the first BA.4 and BA.5 cases in Indonesia as of 6 June.

"Our observation is that the BA.4 and BA.5 waves usually peak 1 month after the discovery of the first case. So, it should be in the second or third week of July, we will see the peak of cases from BA.4 and BA.5", said Budi in a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, June 13.

Observing the increase in BA.4 and BA.5 cases in South Africa, Budi said that the peak of transmission of this variant would reach one-third of the peak of cases during the spread of the Delta and Omicron variants some time ago.

Then, the bed occupancy rate at the peak of waves BA.4 and BA.5 was also one-third of the peak condition of the previous case. Then, the death case is predicted to be only one-tenth of the previous peak death case.

"So, even though BA.4 and BA.5 have caused an increase in cases in several countries in the world, the peak in the increase in cases and hospitalizations and deaths is much lower than the initial Omicron", he said.

Therefore, according to the direction of President Joko Widodo, Budi asked the public to immediately vaccinate the third dose or booster to increase the immunity of the community.

"We encourage the booster so that it can increase the immunity or immunity of our people's bodies to protect them for the next 6 months. Hopefully later on Eid al-Adha, August 17, we can also celebrate the holiday and independence day well", said Budi.

Furthermore, Budi revealed that the total cases of COVID-19 subvariant Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 in Indonesia as of Monday, June 13 were eight patients.

"There are already 8 cases in Indonesia, 3 of which are imported. Foreign arrivals from Mauritus, the United States, and Brazil who came during the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction event (May 23-28, 2022) in Bali", he said.

While the other five cases are local transmission. The four cases of local transmission were detected in Jakarta, and another case was detected in Bali, which is a medical personnel who came from Jakarta.

Budi also added that of the eight people who were infected with BA.4 and BA.5, only one person had moderate symptoms and had not received the third or booster dose of vaccine.

Meanwhile, seven other infected people have received boosters and have had mild and asymptomatic infections.

"So the government really encourages people to complete vaccinations and booster vaccinations, as well as continue to carry out health protocols according to government recommendations", he said.