No need to panic over third wave of pandemic

Since the first five Omicron patients announced on December 16, 2021, until January-end 2022, cases of the new COVID-19 variant in Indonesia have continually risen after briefly dipping post the second wave in June-July 2021.

As of Wednesday, Jan 26, some 1,988 Omicron-infected patients were recorded. The daily count of COVID-19 cases had reached 9,905 as of Friday, January 28.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin estimated that the number of cases would continue to increase and even peak from February to early March 2022, with the Omicron variant being the predominant cause.

Jakarta is the largest contributor of additional daily confirmed cases of COVID-19, reaching 4,558 people as of Friday, January 28, at 12 p.m. local time. This was understandable since Jakarta is a hub for business and political activities and where several people travel around, thereby enabling the virus to spread at a quicker pace.

Based on the expert’s data, Omicron has a swift transmission at fivefold the rate of its previous counterparts.

Source: Antara News