It is because many people have been vaccinated.
Pontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) - At least 1,362 additional COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Indonesia on Wednesday, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said in Kubu Raya District, West Kalimantan Province, the same day.

"The majority of the confirmed cases were detected in Jakarta. However, of the 1,362 cases, none were detected in West Kalimantan province," he noted after reviewing a mass vaccination program in the district along with National Police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

He also expressed concern over the Omicron variant, saying it has transmitted quite quickly.

However, the hospital bed occupancy rate and the mortality rate have remained low, the minister noted.

"It is because many people have been vaccinated. Thus, people should not panic," he added.


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He then asked people to remain alert for Omicron transmission among the elderly. People must keep following health protocols strictly and immediately conduct self-isolation if confirmed positive, he said.

People must not be afraid to get tested regularly since they can be treated immediately if they are confirmed positive, he added.

Moreover, the local government has prepared several quarantine sites, Sadikin said. However, if it is possible to conduct quarantine at their own home, people have been allowed to do so, he added.

He also invited people to get vaccinated to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus.


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Meanwhile, Governor of West Kalimantan, Sutarmijdi, also urged the local government to expedite vaccinations for children aged 6–11 years.

"Currently, the Health Ministry has encouraged local governments to carry out vaccinations for children aged 6–11 years without having to consider the region’s vaccination achievements. Hence, we ask local governments to immediately conduct socialization to expedite vaccinations," he said.

The implementation of vaccinations for children will also be intensified along with booster vaccinations, he added.

"Vaccine stocks have been made available. Thus, do not worry that there will be no vaccines since their availability has been guaranteed by the Health Ministry," he said.


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Translator: Rendra Oxtora, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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