Omicron Cases in Indonesia Reaches 318, Many Among Them Fully-Vaxxed

JAKARTADAILY.ID – The Indonesian Ministry of Health recorded the addition of 57 new Omicron confirmed cases in just one day, on January 7, 2022. The number of confirmed cases of Omicron in Indonesia has now reached 318 people.

Most people infected with Omicron are those who have been fully vaccinated and experience mild symptoms, many of whom do not even show symptoms. This means that vaccination can reduce the severity of COVID 19 symptoms, including Omicron.

However, the Omicron variant is still highly transmissible, and an unchecked spread could have crippling consequences for the Indonesian health system, which includes hospitals and public health centers. 

The Omicron virus can still be reigned in by implementing strict health protocols.

Also Read:  Ashanty Could Be the First Celebrity Confirmed Positive for Omicron in Indonesia

The addition of 57 people consisted of 7 local transmissions and 50 foreign travelers. Overall, from the beginning of the Omicron case in December 2021 to last week, there were 23 local transmission cases and 295 cases from overseas travelers.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia

Cumulatively, most of the cases came from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Then, 99% of isolated Omicron cases had mild or no symptoms, 97% of cases were dominated by foreign travelers and came from DKI Jakarta Province.

Furthermore, as many as 4.3% of cases had comorbidities such as Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension, and 1% of cases required oxygen therapy.

Also Read: Six New Omicron Cases Detected This Week According to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin

A spokesperson for the COVID-19 Vaccination Ministry of Health dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi said the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) recommended treatment in the form of changes in management for asymptomatic patients and mild symptoms. For example, adding the drugs molnupiravir and paxlovid for mild symptoms.

"In addition, it is necessary to prepare centralized isolation in DKI Jakarta and activate telemedicine programs for self-isolation in DKI Jakarta. Patients with comorbidities of any severity are hospitalized," she said in Jakarta, quoted Sunday (9 January 2022).

Also Read: Indonesian Ministry of Health: Omicron 136 Cases, Stop Going Abroad

The Ministry of Health also recommends an assessment of the need for oxygen concentrators or in areas with increased treatment cases, such as Jakarta, West Java, and North Sulawesi. From the results of monitoring, the most common symptoms are coughs and colds.