Ministry Of Health: COVID-19 Impossible To Disappear But No Longer Dangerous

Screenshot Of Technical Staff For Health Transformation Communication, Ministry Of Health (Kemenkes) RI Dr Ngabila Salama/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Technical Staff for Health Transformation Communication, Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) dr Ngabila Salama said COVID-19 could not be lost, but it was no longer dangerous. "COVID cannot be lost, but it is not as dangerous as it used to be," he said at a speech event related to the Omicron Pirola COVID-19 subvariant, which was followed online in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Friday, September 15. Ngabila said that the status of the COVID-19 endemic in Indonesia does not mean that the virus is gone, as is the influenza that remains until now. So, he continued, general symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, runny nose, and fever can still be felt, although the impact is not as severe as when the COVID-19 pandemic spreads around the world. "However, this does not mean that it can be underestimated, the public needs to be aware of the spike in cases that occur every 4-6 months," he said, who is also the Head of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Immunization Section of the DKI Jakarta Health Office. Ngabila said a spike in cases could occur, because the Omicron subvariant is a COVID-19 subvariant that is easier to move between humans, and has the potential to perform genetic mutations in each of its displacements. "Mutations can very often occur, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, as well as comorbid patients," he explained. Therefore, Ngabila appealed to the public to remain vigilant against the COVID-19 virus even though it was not in the pandemic phase. In addition, he also appealed to continue implementing health protocols by wearing masks, washing hands with soap with running water, and conducting PCR tests at the nearest Puskesmas if they make contact with someone who is confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus. "Don't forget to complete the vaccine dose, even though vaccination does not prevent disease, vaccination prevents the severity and death from COVID-19," said Ngabila Salama.