"The ministry appeals to the community to continue to strengthen compliance with health protocols to face the potential entry of this new COVID-19 variant (to Indonesia)," the ministry's Assistant Deputy for the Improvement of Health Services, Nia Reviani, remarked here on Friday.
She explained that the implementation of health protocols includes wearing masks and washing hands with soap and running water, or using hand sanitizer.
In addition, those, who are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, are urged to immediately undergo checkup at the nearest health facility and are suggested to reduce mobility outside the home.
She noted that with the active role of the community in implementing health protocols, the risk of COVID-19 transmission can be prevented.
"By implementing health protocols, individuals can protect themselves, their families, and the community," she remarked.
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Reviani stated that her ministry continues to encourage an increase in the dissemination of information and education regarding the importance of implementing health protocols to provide protection against COVID-19 and other diseases, such as acute respiratory infection and tuberculosis.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health continues to boost vigilance at all entry gates to the country to anticipate the entry of the Arcturus variant.
Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health Maxi Rein Rondonuwu stated that the Arcturus variant was first found in India in two samples in January 2023, 59 samples in February 2023, and 15 samples in March 2023.
Several symptoms of the Arcturus variant are fever and cold, cough, stuffy and runny nose, headache, muscle pain, and sore throat.
The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was confirmed in March 2020. According to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of March 31, 2023, the nation has recorded 6,746,474 COVID-19 cases, 6,580,228 recoveries, and 161,020 deaths.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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