Health Services Prepare for Omicron

The increase in the transmission of the Omicron variant is predicted to be higher than that of the Delta variant. In addition to strengthening health services, a budget for handling the impact of Omicron is prepared.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A banner containing information about the red zone warning was installed in a village in the Krukut area, Tamansari District, West Jakarta, Monday (10/1/2022). Some residents who were positively exposed to Covid-19 have been taken to the Wisma Atlet RSDC, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta for treatment.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The increase in the transmission of Covid-19, particularly the Omicron variant, is predicted to be much higher than that of the Delta variant. The number of Omicron cases in Indonesia has grown to 414, mostly people who have traveled abroad. Therefore, in addition to taking anticipatory measures by strengthening the capacity of health services, the public is advised not to travel abroad.

"It's not too dangerous, but if transmission is high, it's dangerous. Please refrain from traveling abroad. If you go abroad, follow health protocols, seven days of quarantine, don't ask for dispensation," said Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan at a press conference after a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Monday (10/1/2022) in Jakarta.

Also read:

> Local Lockdown Still Slack in Krukut

> Mitigating of Threat Omicron Tsunami

Omicron has spread to 150 countries, most of which are developed countries. “Then, it reached its peak and [the number of cases] has become higher than the previous wave caused by the Delta variant. It has increased hospitalizations in the United States, Australia and Europe," said Luhut.

Omicron cases are also increasing in India, the Philippines and Japan.

In Batam, Riau Islands, hundreds of migrant workers have tested positive for Covid-19 and are undergoing isolation. In West Kalimantan, Indonesian migrant workers are required to undergo quarantine and swab tests. The East Java Covid-19 task force has prepared a centralized quarantine location for migrant workers and foreign travelers entering through Juanda Airport.

HUMAS BANDARA JUANDA

One of the passengers received a Covid-19 vaccination at Juanda Airport Surabaya, Thursday (23/12/2021). The East Java Covid-19 task force has prepared a centralized quarantine location for migrant workers and foreign travelers entering through Juanda Airport.

Service strategy

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin explained that the increase in Omicron transmission was estimated to be much higher than the Delta strain, but fewer patients are hospitalized. The service strategy of the Health Ministry will be shifted from previously focusing on hospital care to focusing on home care. "Because many people will be affected and do not need a hospital," he said.

Of the 414 Omicron cases in Indonesia, only two are in the moderate category and require treatment with oxygen. As many as 114 of them, or 26 percent, have recovered. In Depok city, West Java, four residents were confirmed to be infected with Omicron.

The Health Ministry is collaborating with 17 telemedicine platforms so that Covid-19 patients who are treated at home can access doctor consultations and drug services. The government is also collaborating with logistics start-ups and PT Kimia Farma to ensure drugs reach patients at home.

Also read:

> Protecting Vulnerable from Omicron Urgent

> Improve Vaccine Distribution and Supervision

Around 400,000 tablets of molnupiravir, a new antiviral drug, arrived in the country and are ready for use. "We have prepared ourselves well and experience shows that although the [transmission] waves rise quickly, the Omicron waves descend rapidly," said Budi.

In terms of vaccination coverage, Indonesia is ranked fourth in the world. There are 169 million Indonesians who have been vaccinated with the first dose. "Despite high antibodies due to vaccination and previous infections, there are 13.6 million people in Java and Bali who have not been protected," said Luhut.

Separately, general chairperson of the Indonesian Hospital Association, Bambang Wibowo, said that every hospital was preparing to face a surge in cases due to the spread of Omicron. Now, hospitals are much more prepared to control Covid-19 in terms of facilities, logistics and human resources.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

The joint officers appealed from door to door of residents' houses to take a mass swab test in settlements in the Krukut area, Tamansari District, West Jakarta, Monday (10/1/2022). Some residents who were positively exposed to Covid-19 have been taken to the Wisma Atlet RSDC, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta for treatment. The police implemented micro-locks in locations around the residence suspected of being the direct place of transmission.

The hospital anticipates an increase in cases through several responses. The addition of beds is carried out through the conversion of beds for Covid-19 patients, including the addition of medical devices.

The Health Ministry noted that there were 1,011 Covid-19 referral hospitals with 83,609 beds for Covid-19 patients, which could be increased by 50 percent through bed conversion. Now, the bed occupancy rate (BOR) is 2.69 percent.

Also read:

> Omicron Caseload Increases

> Booster Rollout to Start on 12 January

Fiscal flexibility

To mitigate the impact of Omicron that could disrupt the economic recovery in 2022, the government is taking advantage of fiscal flexibility. Flexibility of the state budget will be used to strengthen social safety nets and on vaccine spending.

Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister, Airlangga Hartarto, some time ago said the government had prepared budgetary funds to anticipate the impact of Omicron. One of the budget sources to increase social protection in 2022 is the remaining 2021 National Economic Recovery (PEN) budget of Rp 74 trillion, excluding the 2022 PEN budget ceiling. The government has set a budget ceiling for the 2022 PEN program at Rp 414 trillion.

The use of the health budget includes optimizing testing, tracking and treating Covid-19 patients; purchase of drugs; health worker incentives; and vaccination and procurement of vaccines. In the field of social protection, the use of the 2022 PEN budget is estimated for the Family Hope Program, Basic Food Cards, Pre-Employment Cards and support for job loss insurance programs.

(WKM/TAN/DIM/NDU/ESA/ RTG/GIO/NIK/HLN/HEN)

This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo.