It is important to be vigilant, but do not panicJayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Based on the results of whole-genome sequencing (WGS), 39 Omicron cases have been identified in the Indonesian province of Papua, spokesperson for the Papua COVID-19 Task Force, Silwanus Sumule, has said.
Thirty-three of the Omicron cases have been detected in Jayapura city, while six have been recorded in Merauke district, he informed here on Thursday.
Local authorities had sent a total of 40 samples to authorized laboratories, and based on their examination, 39 were confirmed for Omicron while one was confirmed for the presence of the Delta variant, he said.
Of the confirmed patients, 22 are currently hospitalized and under close observation, he added.
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According to data released on February 9, 2022, three residents have succumbed to the virus, Sumule said.
They were reportedly yet to be vaccinated, he added.
Sumule then underlined the need for immediate inoculation of unvaccinated locals and consistency in implementing the government's health protocols.
ANTARA had reported earlier that Indonesia's first Omicron case was announced by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin on December 16, 2021.
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The first person to be infected with the new variant was a janitor working at Wisma Atlet Kemayoran emergency hospital for COVID-19, he stated.
The case was detected after three workers at the hospital tested positive for COVID-19, he noted.
In response to the detection of the first Omicron case, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged people to stay calm.
"It is important to be vigilant, but do not panic," he emphasized while adding that so far, the Omicron variant had not caused severe symptoms, especially in patients, who have been vaccinated.
He also urged Indonesians to get vaccinated without delay to protect themselves and to continue implementing strict health protocols.
To stem the spread of the new variant of COVID-19, a senior legislator urged the Indonesian government to increase surveillance at international travel entry points at airports across the country.
"Omicron cases have been found in Indonesia. Hence, we need to remain on alert at our travel entry points, especially our international airports," Saleh Partaonan Daulay said.
In the midst of an Omicron surge, the Indonesian authorities reported 46,843 new cases on February 9, 2022, bringing the tally since the government announced the country's first COVID-19 cases on March 2, 2020, to 4,626,936.
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Translator: Hendrina DK, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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