Health Minister: Omicron Wave Expected to Peak by End of February
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin delivers press statement after joining a limited meeting on the evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM), Monday (01/31). (Photo by: PR/ Deni)Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin delivers press statement after joining a limited meeting on the evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM), Monday (01/31). (Photo by: PR/ Deni)
Omicron wave in Indonesia is predicted to peak by the end of February 2022 that is likely three times higher than Delta transmission, according to Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
“Previously, the peak reached 57 thousand [cases] per day. Thus, we must brace ourselves and remain vigilant. In some other countries, the cases can be two or three times higher than the peak of delta variant,” he said in his press statement after joining a limited meeting on the evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM), Monday (01/31).
He went on to say that in several countries, the number of patients infected with Omicron variant is lower compared to the case of Delta variant. Yet, it has more hospitalization rate than that of Delta.
Therefore, he advised asymptomatic patients or those with mild and moderate symptoms to self-isolate at home.
“If you are not showing any symptom or you get mild cough, fever, and cold with [oxygen] saturation range of 94-95 percent, please do self-isolation at home. Thus, the hospitals can receive more patients who are needed to be hospitalized,” he said adding that patients in self-isolation can get medicines through telemedicine services.
On that occasion, the Minister also underscored that vaccination drive will be speeded up particularly to people who have not received any COVID-19 vaccine shot yet, the elderly, and children.
“Sixty percent of mortality rate is contributed from unvaccinated people or those wo have not been fully vaccinated while 63 percent of patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 were either partially or fully unvaccinated, including children,” he concluded. (MAY/AIT/ST) (RAS/MMB)
