Fast Contagious Ability, Ridwan Kamil Orders Hospitals To Standby 1 To Face Omicron Variants

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JABAR - West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil asked hospitals to be on standby to anticipate the Omicron variant and respond to the increasing room occupancy rate (BOR) of COVID-19 patients.

"I have ordered all hospitals to be on standby 1 because the BOR has increased", said Ridwan Kamil in his official statement in Bandung as reported by Antara, Friday, February 4.

He said alert status 1 must be shown by adding a bed or patient room, the availability of oxygen cylinders, and medicines. "Bed increased, oxygen was prepared plus the treatment", he said.

Regarding the application of the standby status of 1 hospital, especially in the agglomeration areas of Bodebek and Greater Bandung, it was issued because these two areas experienced a significant spike in cases, possibly the Omicron variant.

"So we encourage this agglomeration of hospitals to be ready. It has been repeatedly since COVID-19 has gathered there", said Kang Emil, Ridwan Kamil's nickname.

Omicron variant COVID-19 is known to have a fairly fast transmission. In Indonesia, this variant has a lower fatality rate than the delta variant, especially if it attacks people who have been fully vaccinated. The average patient recovers within 3-4 days.​​​

"Omicron is like the Minister of Health said, it spreads quickly, but also heals quickly, usually in three to four days", he said.

For this reason, for people who have confirmed the Omicron variant, but have mild symptoms, Kang Emil asked to be isolated in their respective homes, with adequate supervision and medication.

Because, he said, treatment at the hospital is only for patients with severe symptoms, such as fever, flu, cough, low saturation, and have comorbidities. This out-of-hospital treatment will have a positive impact on BOR.

"So, if you have mild symptoms, you want to be treated at the hospital, you will increase BOR. The hospital is for severe symptoms, comorbidities, and low saturation, other than that, just stay at home with vitamins, medication, and supervision", he said.

Kang Emil asked the public to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols in all activities. It is not yet known when the COVID-19 pandemic will end.

"Health protocols must not be ignored so that we don't lose to the pandemics that come and go and have not finished", he said.

However, according to him, Indonesia has not yet shown its fatality, but in several countries, such as Australia, the death rate due to the Omicron variant is quite worrying.

Vigilance, he said, is still needed and should not be taken lightly, especially for the elderly and vulnerable groups or have comorbidities.