By: Astrid Widia)*
Implementing the health protocol (Prokes) strictly is one of the most effective forms of prevention to break the spread of the new Covid-19 subvariants from Omicron, namely BA.4 and BA.5 which have recently been reported to continue to increase.
After going through the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic since about 2 years ago, the public is urged not to be careless at this time. This is because the natural nature of the virus is that it will definitely continue to mutate. Moreover, the condition or status of the pandemic itself has not yet ended, plus lately there is still the spread of new subvariants in Indonesia.
Epidemiologist from the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Laura Navika Yamani revealed that the symptoms that a person will experience when infected with BA.4 and BA.5 themselves will be almost the same as the symptoms when someone is infected by Omicron because it is still decreasing from the variant. the. However, one thing that is certain is that the symptoms will not be as severe as the Delta Variant Covid-19 which claimed many lives in the country.
The number of cases continues to increase, but BA.4 and BA.5 in Indonesia itself can be said to be in relatively safe conditions and limits, the article is that until now there are still no cases of death due to this new subvariant infection, especially the transmission is usually only only local.
Laura also emphasized to the whole community that until now it is very important to carry out health protocols and carry out vaccination obligations up to full doses, even including boosters.
According to him, although the virus continues to mutate, the actions that humans can try to counteract it are still the same as Covid-19 from the start. It is undeniable that the enforcement of health protocols is very essential to continue, and the public must be aware of themselves to protect themselves using booster vaccines, which in Indonesia so far the distribution is still quite low, which is below 30 percent.
Furthermore, Laura explained that after being given the vaccine, the human body would be able to create an antibody to ward off the virus, but the antibodies formed would only last about 6 months. So, there must be an effort to increase the antibody again by continuing to strengthen the body’s resistance.
Several ways can be done, starting from implementing a clean and healthy lifestyle, diligently exercising, consuming nutritious food and vitamins. Also included is an effective way to re-strengthen antibodies is to carry out a complete dose of vaccination plus a booster. All of these things are a series of vigilance that the community can continue to do.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Mohammad Syahril, said vigilance was the key in dealing with the rise in Covid-19 cases. Not only the public’s vigilance, but he added that the government must also have it. So with the combination of vigilance, prevention and control from all parties, the efforts to eradicate the spread of BA.4 and BA.5 will be able to end successfully.
Meanwhile, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, in response to the increase in BA.4 and BA.5 infections, immediately mobilized his staff to immediately re-encourage the implementation of health protocols, especially for all Indonesian people. It is very important to make a policy so that all people return to comply with Prokes because efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic including the threat from the Omicron subvariant can be very effectively carried out, in addition if Indonesia’s conditions continue to be pounded with news about viral infections that continue to spread, then will also have an impact on how the economic condition of the entire community. President Jokowi also said that in July 2022 the peak of the spread of BA.4 and BA.5 is predicted. Therefore, promoting health protocols must be carried out as soon as possible.
Not only does he plan to re-tighten the implementation of health protocols for the entire community, but the President will also re-evaluate the PPKM policies that have been implemented in Indonesia so far. All in order to prevent the spread and peak of the new subvariant of Covid-19.
Of course, in accordance with the opinion that has been expressed by an epidemiologist regarding efforts to increase antibodies again which will slowly disappear after 6 months, the Government will continue to encourage the entire community to carry out booster doses of Covid-19 vaccination, especially in areas where the level of virus infection is still quite high with the assistance of by all ranks of the Task Force, especially the National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, TNI Commander General Muhammad Andika Perkasa,
