"The presence of the new variant Omicron Arcturus, whose local transmission has occurred in Jakarta since March 27, 2023, has caused a rise in positive cases," head of the office's surveillance and immunization section, Ngabila Salama, said via text message here on Saturday.
Based on COVID-19 patient data of all variants compiled by the office from March 19 to April 14, 2023, she informed that cough was experienced by 34 percent of patients treated in hospitals, followed by fever (18 percent), sore throat (14.8 percent), and headache (11.2 percent).
Other symptoms included muscle pain (6 percent), malaise (5.6 percent), abdominal pain (2 percent), nausea and vomiting (1.6 percent), chills (1.6 percent), shortness of breath (1.6 percent), diarrhea (1.6 percent), anosmia (1.2 percent), and ageusia (0.8 percent).
Even though the symptoms are dominated by those that are categorized as mild, she asked people to get the booster dose promptly to maintain immunity.
The appeal was issued considering that Jakarta currently has a limited stock of COVID-19 vaccines. For example, the stock of the Pfizer vaccine is now around 5,172 doses across Jakarta.
Therefore, people must use the remaining vaccine stock immediately by visiting the nearest vaccination site, such as a community health center (puskesmas), because the vaccine is still being provided for free, she said.
"People should think about preventing illness by being more disciplined in getting vaccinated, wearing masks, especially when sick, meeting sick people, and using public transportation," she said.
Salama further said that her office will monitor the development of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jakarta for the next two to four weeks more strictly in a bid to keep the pandemic under control.
"People should not panic even though there has been a rise in cases. The condition in Jakarta is very under control because it is not followed by an increase in the rates of treatment in hospitals and deaths," she added.
Related news: Red eyes new symptom of COVID-19 Arcturus: Jakarta Health Office
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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