Step up testing and tracing on account of the fact that those exposed to this variant mostly do not show symptoms
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin highlighted the marked increase in the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant through local transmission.

"Observing last week's COVID-19 developments, the number of confirmed positive cases through local transmission had noticeably increased," Amin remarked in a statement here on Monday.

He advised all parties to raise vigil against the local transmission of Omicron despite the relatively minor symptoms caused by the virus.

The vice president also requested to intensify testing, tracking, and treatment among communities to reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission.

"Step up testing and tracing on account of the fact that those exposed to this variant mostly do not show symptoms. It has a high likelihood of triggering sustained transmission in the community," he explained.

Furthermore, the vice president urged all parties to bolster the implementation of COVID-19 vaccinations, including the booster shot for people.

The vice president chaired a limited meeting that discussed the evaluation of public activities restrictions (PPKM) through a videoconference from his official residence in Jakarta on Monday.

At the meeting, a decision was reached that PPKM in Java and Bali Islands will be extended until January 31 despite the increase still having been under control, according to the evaluation.

PPKM Coordinator of Java and Bali Islands Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan remarked that the number of confirmed and daily active cases was still some 90 percent lower than the peak of the Delta variant cases in 2021.

"However, again, we do not need to be arrogant about this. We need to be disciplined (in applying health protocols against COVID-19)," Pandjaitan noted in an online press statement.

Meanwhile, as of January 23, 2022, new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded at 2,925, with the number of active cases reaching 2,199.

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Translator: Fransiska N, Kenzu T
Editor: Sri Haryati
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