A COVID-19 XBB Subvariant Appears, The Salemba Class 1 Detention Center Begins To Tighten Health Protocols

Salemba Class 1 Detention Center/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - The condition of correctional inmates (WBP) or inmates at the Salemba Class 1 Detention Center in Central Jakarta has exceeded the capacity, more than double. Currently, the number of prisoners is 3,352 people.

At least 6 of the inmates are currently in Pengayoman Hospital undergoing medical treatment. The number of 3,352 inmates turned out to have exceeded the existing capacity.

"(building capacity) deserves a capacity of 1,500 people in the Salemba Detention Center. With a large number of inmates, we anticipate the XBB subvariant COVID-19 by fulfilling vaccine rights. Currently, all WBPs have been vaccinated," said Salemba Class 1 Karutan, Fauzi Harahap when confirmed by VOI, Monday, November 14.

Fauzi said that his party immediately checked directly into the detention room to see the condition of the inmates directly.

"Later we will go inside, we will map it out and what we have not followed up so that the immunity (inmates) can be fulfilled so that it cannot become transmission (COVID-19 subvariant XBB). If it is still resistant, we will do an environmental introduction period," he said.

Meanwhile, to anticipate the transmission of the new inmates sent to the Salemba Detention Center, Karutan said he would check the condition of the inmates.

"The new prisoner will be from the medical officer who checks his health. After the examination of the condition of the newly completed prisoner, then we will transfer the prisoner. Later, we will check the health for the new inmates, to ensure the condition of the detainees. We will see from the medical records inside (Rutan Salemba) anticipating COVID-19, the XBB subvariant," he said.

Previously, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohammad Syahril, said that the whole genome sequencing (WGS) examination continued to be intensified in line with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country. The WGS examination is in line with the trend of increasing domestic cases allegedly due to the subvariant XBB and BQ.1 which are starting to dominate.

The existence of the XBB subvariant shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet, the public is asked to remain disciplined in health protocols. In addition, it also moves the COVID-19 booster vaccination to increase body protection.

The subvariant COVID-19 XBB patient has milder symptoms than the previous variant, the majority of the subvariant patients recovered.