Riau Provincial Government Finds 208 Probable Omicron Cases

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PEKANBARU - The Riau Provincial Government has now found as many as 208 "probable" cases of the Omicron variant or confirmed cases of COVID-19 accompanied by positive Omicron laboratory screening results.

"The Omicron 'probable' examination is carried out by the Biomolecular Laboratory of the Arifin Achmad Hospital," said Plt. Head of Riau Province Health Office, Drs. H. Masrul Kasmy, M.Si in a statement quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 5.

He explained the probable case of the Omicron variant, which is a confirmed case of COVID-19 whose laboratory results showed a positive S-Gene Target Failure (SGTF) or the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) detection test based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) leading to the Omicron variant.

Meanwhile, the confirmed cases of the Omicron variant are positive COVID-19 patients with positive results of the Omicron SAR-COV-2 sequencing examination.

"Definite diagnosis of Omicron can only be done by sequencing examination by the Ministry of Health's Litbangkes Agency in Jakarta. Based on a letter from the Litbangkes Agency Number: SR.01.07/2/2497/2022, dated January 31, 2022, 1 (one) confirmed case of Omicron is stated. travelers outside the province of Riau," he said.

Responding to this, he said, the Riau Provincial Government took preventive and control measures. Among other things, making efforts to increase testing, "tracing", and "treatment" (3 T) as well as accelerating vaccination in all target groups.

Then carry out tightening and supervision for travellers by land, sea and air from or out of Riau Province (via E-HAC).

"Conducting supervision for health facilities providing antigen and PCR examination services," he said.

In addition, the Riau Provincial Health Office has also optimized the use of centralized isolation facilities (isoters) for people who have been confirmed to have COVID-19. If there is a positive confirmed case of COVID-19 with moderate and severe symptoms, treatment will be carried out at Referral Hospitals throughout Riau Province. The cost of treatment and medicine is provided by the Government.

"We also appeal to all regions to tighten community mobility according to the PPKM level," he said.

Then optimizing the behavior change mitigation and communication team to improve public education regarding health protocols for washing hands, wearing masks and maintaining safe physical distance as well as regulating Face-to-face Learning (PTM) patterns according to PPKM levels and PTM surveillance results.

"With the support of all parties, Riau Province is ready to face an increase in COVID-19 cases," said Masrul Kasmy.