Omicron Deaths Related to Vaccination Status: Health Ministry

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has logged a rising number of COVID-19 cases lately with a daily case increase of 111 on Sunday, which is the highest case increase since the new Omicron variant arrived in the country.

Health Ministry spokesperson for coronavirus vaccination Siti Nadia Tarmizi in a statement on Monday said most of the death cases are either from people who have not been vaccinated or with comorbidities.

“The Health Ministry’s data from January 21 up to February 8, 2022, showed that of 487 patients who died, 66 percent of them did not receive complete dose vaccinations,” said Nadia in a statement on February 14. 

For this reason, Nadia said the government continues to try to prevent the virus from killing more people by pushing for vaccinations for elderly people, people with comorbidities, and vaccination for children. Other steps needed to be taken are by imposing social restrictions (PPKM), increasing tests, tracing, treatment, and preparing more hospital healthcare workers.

The Health Ministry spokesperson said the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients remained under control despite the rising number of cases. As of February 13, the number of people treated at hospitals nationwide for the virus reached 31 percent 

In order to fulfill the domestic need for oxygen tanks, the ministry has collaborated its efforts with private entities and governments from other countries to distribute 18,000 oxygen concentrators across 34 provinces and construct 36 oxygen generators with 20 of them already installed in several Indonesian provinces. 

“We urge people to strengthen health protocols and avoid contracting COVID-19. Complete your vaccination and take the booster jab if you already received your schedule,” said Tarmizi.

Read: COVID-19 Omicron Variant Has No Significant Impact, Ministry: Can Be Managed 

DEWI NURITA