"We are still learning (by) seeing the experiences of various countries. Our country will probably be a little higher (in terms of cases) compared to during the peak of the Delta variant," Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono said here on Thursday.
He made the statement in response to reporters' inquiries about the peak of the third wave.
He said public compliance with the health protocols would affect the trend of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia.
The current trend of increasing COVID-19 cases cannot be separated from the influence of the Omicron variant, which is characterized by its rapid and extensive transmission, he added.
However, he assured that the government is ready to control the spike in cases, given its experience in dealing with the Delta wave last year.
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Harbuwono stated that in July 2021, around 57 thousand cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant were recorded in the country. Meanwhile, the Omicron variant is currently estimated to be responsible for 100–150 additional cases per day, he informed.
He urged patients with mild symptoms to self-isolate at home so that hospitals can cater to those with moderate and severe symptoms.
"If the symptoms are moderate, it is (because) there are comorbidities, being old, and lowered oxygen saturation. Apart from those (symptoms), it is better to isolate at home," he added.
The latest surge in infections has been linked to the entry of the Omicron variant. The Health Ministry has reported five Omicron deaths so far. Some of the patients who succumbed were unvaccinated, it said.
As a countermeasure, the government has expedited vaccinations for citizens, including children in the 6–11 age group.
The COVID-19 Task Force has also asked parents to not give pocket money to students to prevent them from lingering after school and suggested they be given homemade meals instead, as they are more hygienic.
If students stay back after school, it becomes tougher to implement COVID-19 prevention measures since schools can only monitor health protocol adherence within their premises, it explained.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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