We must pay attention to the rapid infection caused by the Omicron variant that has not been seen during the spread of the Delta variant. Cases of morbidity and mortality in children are higher and deaths in adults are also higherJakarta (ANTARA) - Lately, there has been a big jump in Omicron cases, or what is referred to as the denominator phenomenon, when very large numbers of infections can increase hospitalization and mortality if not controlled quickly.
"We must pay attention to the rapid infection caused by the Omicron variant that has not been seen during the spread of the Delta variant. Cases of morbidity and mortality in children are higher and deaths in adults are also higher," Dicky Budiman, an epidemiologist from Griffith University in Australia, said in a statement to Antara on Tuesday.
A denominator phenomenon is currently being witnessed in Indonesia as the government's COVID-19 handling strategy is not yet strong enough and has come a little too late, even though Level 3 community activity restrictions (PPKM) are now being re-implemented, he said.
The Indonesian government does not need to implement emergency PPKM since it can lead to social, economic, and political losses, Budiman added.
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However, the government must understand that PPKM should be used as a momentum to accelerate vaccinations while strengthening testing, tracing, and treatment (3T), he said.
If necessary, the government must intensify home visits to ensure healthcare services to people in self-isolation, he added. The government must also conduct door-to-door vaccinations to assist people who cannot go to the vaccination site, he suggested.
People must also comply with health protocols such as wearing proper masks (such as N95), work from home, and reduce face-to-face learning at schools, he advised.
Budiman predicted that the peak of Omicron infections in Indonesia will be reached at the end of February or March 2022.
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Therefore, the government must seriously prevent the spread of COVID-19 in regions to prevent vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with comorbidities, and children from getting infected, he said.
"Indonesia will reach the peak of Omicron cases at the end of February or early March with Java and Bali dominating the cases. We must also pay attention to the trend in positivity cases outside Java and Bali where the landscape of immunity is weaker and this is dangerous," he cautioned.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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