The Omicron Variant Has Spread Through Local Transmission In Central Sulawesi

PALU - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Data and Information Center (Pusdatina) of the Central Sulawesi (Sulteng) Provincial Government Adiman stated that transmission of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Central Sulawesi had passed through local transmission or between residents in the province.

"Obviously there has been local transmission because of the 49 swab samples from a number of areas in Central Sulawesi that were examined, all of them tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19," he said in Palu City, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 19.

He said that of the 49 samples, 30 of them were examined at the Health Laboratory (Labkes) of the Central Sulawesi Provincial Health Office (Dinkes), which is located in Palu. Meanwhile, 19 other samples were examined at the Health Ministry Labkes in Jakarta.

Adiman said the 49 people who were positively exposed to COVID-19 were in a number of areas, including Palu City, Donggala Regency and Tolitoli. Currently, the resident who was exposed to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is undergoing quarantine at a health service center belonging to the local government.

"Most of those exposed to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Central Sulawesi are children and the elderly (elderly) who have comorbid diseases or comorbidities," he said.

Therefore, he appealed to the public not to be careless and apply strict health protocols, namely masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, staying away from crowds, reducing mobility outside the home and reducing activities that gather large crowds in one opportunity and in one room.

In addition, he invited people who have not been vaccinated to immediately follow the COVID-19 vaccination to create immunity and group immunity so that COVID-19, especially the Omicron variant, does not easily infect them.

"Based on data from the Central Sulawesi Province COVID-19 Pusdatina today, a cumulative 49,068 people have been exposed to COVID-19. Of the 49,068 people, 45,938 people have recovered, 1,617 people have died and 1,513 people are currently still undergoing quarantine independently or at the center. "Health care centers belonging to the local government," he said.

To suppress cases of transmission and spread of COVID-19 in Central Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi Governor Rusdy Mastura issued a Circular Letter (SE) of the Governor of Central Sulawesi Number 04 of 2022 concerning Restrictions on Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the circular letter, the Governor of Central Sulawesi ordered all regional heads and related agencies to reactivate COVID-19 handling posts at the village or sub-district level.

In addition, Rusdy also instructed the public to postpone the implementation of meetings, outreach events, seminars, meetings that are outside the network that mobilize or gather large numbers of people in one location at the same time and further improve health protocols more strictly.