However, we do not need to panic.
Banjarmasin, Kalsel (ANTARA) - Taking note of the rising trend in Omicron cases in Indonesia, National Police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has asked for the reactivation of micro-scale community activity restrictions (micro-PPKM).

"The officers of Public Order and Security Maintenance Agency (Babinkamtibmas), village, community unit, and neighborhood units have additional duties to supervise their residents who are conducting self-isolation," he said while reviewing the implementation of mass vaccinations in Banjarmasin city, South Kalimantan (Kalsel) province, on Thursday.


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It is important to increase public vigilance by implementing micro-PPKM, considering that the Omicron variant has spread quickly, he stressed.

Indonesia added 46,843 daily COVID-19 cases on February 9, 2022, an increase of almost 10,000 cases compared to the previous day, he informed.

The figure is close to the number of daily additional cases recorded during the second COVID-19 wave in July 2021, which was caused by the Delta variant, he noted.


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Hence, the current situation needs to be a concern for the public, Prabowo said.

"However, we do not need to panic. We must ensure that the attempts at handling the surge of cases are done optimally," he remarked.

Furthermore, he called on people who have been exposed to COVID-19 and developed mild symptoms to go to the isolation centers prepared by local governments.

In the isolation centers, the patients can receive optimum treatment and prevent the transmission of the virus in their families or other people around their home, he said.

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Prabowo also reminded people to remain disciplined in conducting the health protocols, especially in wearing masks.

"The key to curbing the virus transition is the implementation of strict health protocols and vaccinations. Although upon getting exposed to the virus, people who have been vaccinated will have a better immune system. Thus, vaccination can reduce the mortality caused by the virus," he added.



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Translator: Firman, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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