Author Maria Wenda | Editor
The public is required to always be aware of the peak of the Covid-19 wave which is predicted to occur in July 2022. This form of vigilance needs to be applied by implementing strict Prokes during activities and completing complete and booster doses of vaccination.
The Covid-19 pandemic has been going on for more than 2 years and people are asked to further increase their immunity, because it is predicted that there will be a peak of the fourth wave of attacks. As of July 4, 2022, the number of Corona patients was 1,434 people, even though on June 4 there were only 395 patients. Hopefully there will be no further increase in the number of Corona patients so that the pandemic ends quickly.
Actually, the increase in the number of Corona patients after Lebaran and long holidays is actually a natural thing, because in the mirror of the events in 2020 and 2021, there is always an increase in the graph of Covid-19 patients after the holiday. The reason is because of the high mobility of people and crowds. But people still have to be aware of the peak of the Corona wave and maintain body resistance so they don’t become the next patient.
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the peak of the Covid-19 wave would occur in the second or third week of July 2022. This is calculated from 28 to 34 days after the discovery of the Omicron Subvariant BA.4 and BA.5 variant Corona viruses in Indonesia.
Minister Budi continued, because in Indonesia (subvariants BA.4 and BA.5) were found after Lebaran, the peak was approximately in the middle or third week of July 2022. Because of the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, Corona cases in several countries up again.
The peak of the Covid-19 wave is predicted to occur in the near future and the public is asked to be more vigilant. Don’t just relax and think that the pandemic is over. Even though the situation could get worse because of the Covid-19 virus, the Omicron subvariant BA.4 and BA.5 variants because they are proven to be more infectious and have brought the Corona patient chart back up again.
People don’t need to panic when there is an announcement of the peak of the Corona wave. They can avoid Corona by vaccinating up to 3 times and being disciplined in implementing health protocols. These two things must be done because they don’t get infected with the Covid-19 virus, the Omicron variants, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants and end up infecting each other.
Vaccination is very important because it can increase the human immune system. If the third dose of Corona vaccine has been injected, the immunity will increase to 99%. Do not underestimate vaccination because the vaccine will protect the body from transmission of any variant of the Corona virus, especially since this virus mutated and finally mutated into BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. This subvariance has further increased the number of Corona patients in Indonesia.
The public is also asked to memorize the characteristics of being exposed to the Corona variant Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. The reason is because the average patient does not get severe anosmia (loss of sense of smell), because only 8% of patients experience it. But they feel so tired that they can’t even go away after sleeping.
In addition, the characteristics of contracting Corona Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are nausea, shortness of breath, diarrhea, cough, nasal congestion, and fever. If you are exposed to these characteristics, then immediately go to the hospital to be tested, lest you get Corona variant Omicron subvariant BA.4 or BA.5. Don’t assume that all patients who enter the hospital will be ‘divided’, even if they are proven positive for Corona, the treatment will be more intensive and recover quickly.
Don’t underestimate the Corona subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 and when you are infected, you even think of it as a common cold because if it is proven positive for Corona, the body’s resistance will decrease drastically. There is nothing wrong with testing independently, at least a rapid test, the cost is also affordable. Don’t get infected with Corona and then pass it on to children under 6 years old who haven’t been vaccinated
Also make sure the body has been vaccinated up to 3 doses, aka boosters. This vaccine is still free and you just need to go to the nearest hospital to find information, when is the schedule for this month’s booster vaccine. When the majority of Indonesian people have been vaccinated with the booster, it will form group immunity so as to break the chain of Corona spread. Predictions about the peak of the fourth wave of Corona will not happen.
To prevent transmission of the Corona virus, especially the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, the public is also required to re-implement health protocols, especially wearing masks. Even the masks are worn in 2 layers, namely disposable masks and cloth masks. Wear a mask inside and outside the room, don’t just wear it while driving, but even take it off until you reach your destination.
Also comply with other points in the health protocol such as washing hands or using hand sanitizer, maintaining distance, reducing mobility, and maintaining environmental hygiene. Health protocols are proven to prevent the transmission of Corona and keep the body healthy.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute