In accordance with WHO's instructions, it (WGS) is conducted when people are suspected and probable (cases of having contracted the virus). Thus, whole genome sequencing is not only for those, who are confirmed positive, but also those, who are suspeJakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the Professional Development Division of the Indonesian Epidemiologists Association (PAEI), Masdalina Pane, urged the government to intensify Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) on suspected COVID-19 patients to stem the spread of the Omicron variant.
"In accordance with WHO's instructions, it (WGS) is conducted when people are suspected and probable (cases of having contracted the virus). Thus, whole genome sequencing is not only for those, who are confirmed positive, but also those, who are suspected and probable," Pane noted during an online dialog here, Thursday.
Pane explained that the WGS test can be conducted on people meeting the epidemiological criteria, such as travelers, with a history of travel from areas affected by the Omicron variant.
She pushed for increasing testing since five countries had reported deaths from the Omicron variant.
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Moreover, the Omicron variant has a faster transmission rate, even surpassing that of the Delta variant that caused a surge in cases in Indonesia earlier.
Hence, she urged the government to take a cue from the past experience with the Delta variant wherein people that contracted the virus experienced mild symptoms but transmitted the virus faster.
“For the Delta variant, the symptoms were mild or without symptoms. However, remember when it entered (Indonesia), our death rate increased significantly,” she stressed.
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The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data provided by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of December 23, 2021, at least 4,261,208 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,112,524 people have recovered, and 144,042 people have succumbed to the deadly virus.
On Thursday, December 16, 2021, the Health Ministry had confirmed the first Omicron case in Indonesia, with a janitor at the Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital, Jakarta, diagnosed with the virus, and currently, the case count for Omicron in Indonesia has increased to eight.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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