The provincial government of West Java has prepared anticipatory measures against any potential surge in COVID-19 cases due to the new B.1.1.529, or Omicron, variant.
In a press release received from the provincial government’s public relations team here on Thursday, the province’s health office said it has intensified tracing, testing, and treatment of cases at the community health center level to prevent Omicron transmission.
Head of the West Java Provincial Health Office Nina Susana Dewi said that officers at community health centers, Indonesian Military (TNI) officers, National Police (Polri) officers, and members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) have been encouraged to carry out tracing and testing to detect Omicron transmission early.
The health office has also alerted health facilities and prepared quarantine facilities from the village to the provincial level to handle the possibility of an increase in infections.
“We already have the data from the second wave regarding hospitals that can increase their bed capacity to 40 percent of the total beds. We already have the data, and we will report if there is an increase in (COVID-19) cases,” Dewi said.
She affirmed that her office has prepared medicines and personal protective equipment to fulfill the province’s needs.
To boost immunity against the virus, the government is also revving up COVID-19 vaccinations in the province, she said.
“Currently, the vaccination coverage has reached 78 to 80 percent of the target,” she informed.
She also asserted that 14 West Java residents who recently contracted the Omicron variant are receiving optimal treatment. Ten patients are being treated at Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital, Jakarta, while the remaining four patients are being treated at Al Ihsan Regional Public Hospital, West Java, she said.
Source: Antara News