Some 492 people, spread across Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi, that tested positive for COVID-19 were categorized as probable or suspected of being exposed to the Omicron variant, according to West Java Governor M. Ridwan Kamil.
According to Kamil, as of that day, no confirmation was received of Omicron transmission, though 492 people were probably infected with Omicron. However, it had yet to be confirmed whether they did contract Omicron, as they had to undergo Whole Genome Sequencing test to corroborate its presence. Kamil delivered the statement at the Gedung Sate Bandung on Monday.
Kamil remarked that while awaiting the test results, optimal efforts to trace and test patients’ close contacts were also expedited in addition to offering the best treatment to patients suspected of being infected by the Omicron variant.
The governor noted that the earlier 33 COVID-19 Omicron variant patients had made a recovery.
Overall, as of January 30, 2022, some 13,836 people in West Java were being treated or isolated due to being COVID-19 positive.
It was a dramatic increase as compared to January 1, 2022, when only 532 active cases were reported in West Java.
On January 1, 2022 in West Java, only 18 additional cases were recorded. However, on January 30, 2022, some 2,584 new cases were recorded in the region.
This has led to a surge in the hospital occupancy rates in the province.
Kamil stated that as per that day, it was capped at around 15 percent, which was a huge jump, from 1.3 percent on January 2.
The governor concluded that the long 2021 year-end holiday period contributed to the increase.
Likewise, 120 COVID-19 isolation sites in West Java had begun to fill up again.
Interestingly, there were rumors or allegations that the patients choose to be hospitalized despite being asymptomatic.
“We also urge to ensure that (the situation) is not like that in Jakarta. Mister Anies (Governor of Jakarta) once said that the increase in the BOR (Bed Occupancy Rate) was because of preference and not because (of the urgency or severity which make them) had to go to the hospital,” he reminded.
“Hence, people, who are asymptomatic, rather than (self-isolating) at home, they choose to go to the hospital. Now this creates confusion in statistics,” he remarked.
The governor deemed that the hospitalization should be for those who really cannot be treated at home.
Source: Antara News