We cannot ignore people with comorbid (diseases) if we want to live alongside the virusJakarta (ANTARA) - Efforts to control comorbid diseases are important for reaching the endemic phase of COVID-19, head of the health handling division of the COVID-19 Task Force, Alexander Ginting, has said.
"We cannot ignore people with comorbid (diseases) if we want to live alongside the virus," Ginting remarked on Tuesday.
The high number of cases reported in Germany recently were not solely the result of the spread of Omicron or Delta variants, but poorly controlled comorbidities, he said.
"Therefore, besides implementing the health protocols and accelerating vaccinations, hospitals and health centers must not abandon services for (patients with) comorbid diseases," he added.
Ginting urged health services in Indonesia to continue to accord priority to diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and stunting, among others.
Meanwhile, expert staff for COVID-19 handling at the Health Ministry Andani Eka Putra said that one of the indicators that Indonesia is entering the endemic phase would be the absence of a potential spike in cases.
"If we enter the endemic phase, we must ensure there is no potential for a spike in cases," Putra said.
Currently, the COVID-19 situation in Indonesia is relatively under control, as seen from the positivity rate of around 0.25 percent, he noted.
However, the emergence of the Omicron variant could potentially lead to a spike in cases, he cautioned.
Until now, 47 cases of Omicron exposure have been detected in Indonesia.
"The bottom line is, we are trying to control Omicron so it will not cause an explosion of cases, and expand our chances of entering the endemic phase," he explained.
In order to prevent a spike in cases, people from all levels of society must consistently follow the health protocols and get vaccinated, Putra said.
Earlier, the Association of Indonesian Doctors (PDIB) had said that one of the efforts to accelerate the endemic phase in Indonesia is preventing a spike in COVID-19 cases.
"Next year, Indonesia will have a big chance to enter the endemic phase as long as there is no spike in cases at the end of 2021 or in early 2022," head of PDIB, Dr. James Allan Rarung, said.
For this reason, the COVID-19 health protocols must be carried out consistently to prevent the transmission of the virus in the community, he added.
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Translator: Zubi M, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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