Minister Of Health: Omicron EG. 5 Majority Taken By Overseas Travelers

A number of prospective passengers when crowding Terminal 3 areas of Soetta Airport. (ANTARA/Azmi Samsul Maarif/am).

Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the Omicron EG.5 subvariant, which now dominates the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, is generally brought by travelers from abroad.

"Where did it come from? Especially from overseas travel. In fact, this variant is fast transmission, but the fatality is very low," said Budi Gunadi Sadikin as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, December 14.

He said the Omicron EG.1 and EG.5 subvariants had been identified as entering Indonesia through foreign travelers from a number of neighboring countries.

The Ministry of Health reports that there are five countries with the highest number of new cases in recent weeks, namely Thailand with 539 cases, India 293 cases, Iran 292 cases, Afghanistan 129 cases, and Marocco 116 cases.

Meanwhile, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia today reported to have reached 359 cases, 79 of which were reported to have recovered, and the total active cases reached 1,449 cases.

Budi said the EG subvariant has the characteristics of fast spread but with a low risk of death.

"That's why there were very few who were hospitalized and to the point of death. Even if there was, actually the death was not due to COVID-19, because of other diseases, but when he was tested he turned out to be positive," he said.

For this reason, the Minister of Health appealed to foreign travelers who returned to their homeland to carry out health tests using PCR, especially for those with symptoms.

Furthermore, for people who are at high risk such as comorbidities, the elderly, or those who are actively traveling abroad to complete the booster or booster dose of vaccination.

"So that if it comes again, it can reduce the severity of the disease. While the vaccine is still there," he said.

To people who have flu or are not feeling well, Budi appealed to use masks during their activities to prevent transmission to others.

"If you feel coughed or there are neighbors who cough or go abroad, there's nothing wrong with conservatively wearing a little mask to reduce the risk," he said.

If based on the results of the medical diagnosis confirmed positive for COVID-19, Budi appealed to the patient not to worry, just self-isolation.

"The medicine should have been recovered for 5-6 days, after all, the medicines should also be in the hospital," he said.