To prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases, surveillance activities will be carried out, one of which is at Eid exodus posts because high mobility usually occurs there.
Bandarlampung, Lampung (ANTARA) - Head of the Health Office of Lampung Reihana has said that her office will continue surveillance activities at Eid al-Fitr exodus posts to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases amid high public mobility.

"Based on the information from the central government, currently, there have been cases of Omicron COVID-19 derivative, namely Arcturus or XBB.1.16 sub-variant,” she informed here on Friday.

With the emergence of Arcturus cases in Indonesia, anticipatory measures will be taken to prevent the spread of the virus, especially during the Eid exodus period, Reihana added.

"To prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases, surveillance activities will be carried out, one of which is at Eid exodus posts because high mobility usually occurs there," she said.

Apart from surveillance, the office is also providing vaccination services to people, she added.

She further said that her office is currently carrying out whole genome sequencing of all COVID-19 cases detected in Lampung province.

"In March (2023), there were 25 additional COVID-19 cases (in Lampung). As of April 16, there were additional 36 COVID-19 cases. For the occupancy of hospital beds, currently, it is at around 0.7 percent," she expounded.

According to her, no Arcturus cases have been detected in Lampung so far.

"Nevertheless, we will still send samples for whole genome sequencing to Jakarta. As for the symptoms (of Arcturus), they are the same as Omicron. Indeed, (patients) tend to not experience severe symptoms if they have been vaccinated and do not have comorbidities," she said.

She also asked the community to complete their vaccination and maintain their health, especially during the Eid exodus journey.

"Those who have not completed, especially booster vaccinations, please immediately complete them. Then, those who will join the exodus, continue to maintain health and immunity to remain healthy while gathering with families in your hometown during this year's Eid al-Fitr," she said.

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Translator: Ruth Intan, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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