Jakarta Government through Health Agency continues to prevent the spread of Omicron, the new variant of COVID-19, in Jakarta by strengthening 3T, namely Testing, Tracing, Treatment.

PCR testing is still carried out routinely

Jakarta Health Agency Head, Widyastuti mentioned, although COVID-19 cases continues to decline, early detection through PCR is still carried out massively and continuously. In fact, special testing for Jakarta is nine to ten times of WHO standard (1:1,000 people per week).

"Related to testing, PCR testing is still carried out routinely. Even though COVID-19 case in Jakarta is sloping at the moment, we are still doing it in portions more than WHO standard, around 9-10 times of WHO standard," she said, Monday (12/20).

Meanwhile, regarding tracing, Jakarta Health Agency together with Litbangkes and other related partners carried out Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) method to detect new variant. According to her, this method was improved to accelerate the prevention and control of Omicron variant spread in Jakarta.

"We carry out Whole Genome Sequencing to detect the risk or possibility of new variant for all cases with history of traveling from abroad, then relapse cases that have contracted COVID-19 in the past and then infected again, or they have been vaccinated but positive for COVID-19," she added.

As for treatment, Jakarta Government together with Central Government have provided centralized quarantine place for Indonesian citizens or foreigners from abroad. The quarantine is located in Wisma Atlet, Pasar Rumput Public Housing, and Nagrak Public Housing.

She explained that Circular Letter (SE) of COVID-19 Task Force No. 25/2021 concerning International Travel Health Protocols during COVID-19 Pandemic regulates centralized quarantine obligations for Indonesian citizens (WNI) or foreigners (WNA) from abroad.

This circular letter requires every international traveler to carry out RT-PCR test upon arrival, undergo 10 x 24-hour quarantine, and second RT-PCR test on the 9th day of quarantine. While foreigners and Indonesian citizens from countries where there is community transmission of Omicron variant are required to carry out RT-PCR test upon arrival, undergo 14-day quarantine and second RT-PCR test on the 13th day of quarantine.

"We and central government carry out a more focused quarantine, where it is carried out in places that have been provided with more extended period of time to anticipate incubation period, thus if it is found to be positive, the further treatment can be carried out. We do it according to Circular Letter, 10 days for travelers from abroad and 14 days for travelers from infected countries. Nagrak Public Housing, for example, is used for quarantine our residents who are repatriating or PMI," she conveyed.

She advised people not to panic but to strictly adhere to 5M health protocol. She also encouraged people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 to complete their vaccinations.

"Vaccination aims to reduce morbidity, reduce death rate, and even positive, it is not too severe. This disease is relatively new and the virus continues to mutate. The point is, the vaccine is still effective, but even if you get infected, the risk and symptoms are mild. So, be sure to be vaccinated and carry out 5M health protocol," she asserted.