"People who have symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, nasal congestion, fever, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty in smelling are advised to visit the nearest sub-district health center in Jakarta,” head of immunization surveillance at the office Ngabila Salama said here on Friday.
In addition, during working hours, the PCR test service will be provided at the city's health centers for free to people who have experienced symptoms or come in close contact with positive cases.
"This is for the Jakarta residents who have regular activities in the city such as going to school or work. Please come to the nearest health center," the official added.
Free COVID-19 antigen tests will also be made available round-the-clock at sub-district health centers in Jakarta.
Salama assured that the Jakarta Health Office will strengthen genome sequencing for all positive cases detected in Jakarta at both public and private laboratories.
"Whatever the variant is, everyone is expected to strengthen immunity together through healthy lifestyle and immunization," she said.
She also urged people who are sick and living with or near sick people to remain disciplined in wearing masks, as the increasing number of cases at local health centers have mainly been caused by home or family transmission.
She also said that the second XBB.1.16 patient experienced pneumonia.
"The second patient of (the Arcturus variant) experienced severe coughing and pneumonia," she said.
According to data from India, she said, the Arcturus sub-variant is causing new symptoms such as pink eye and increased eye dirt.
"The two Arcturus patients in Jakarta did not experience red eyes, but there were some hospitalized COVID-19 patients who experienced red eye symptoms. We are in the process of conducting genome sequencing," she informed.
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Translator: Siti N, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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