Jakarta – As the highly contagious Omicron variant might spur a rise of virus cases, the Indonesian government has prepared hospitals and care facilities for a possible mass influx of COVID-19 patients.
According to the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Indonesia (KSP), the government has at least prepared 1,011 hospitals and 82,168 beds for COVID-19 patients.
“Given the fact that there might be more foreign travelers entering Indonesia in the upcoming months, the health services must be prepared for a possible COVID-19 surge,” said KSP’s Senior Advisor Abraham Wirotomo, during an official visit to the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital (RSPI), Jakarta, Sunday (2/1).
In his visit, Abraham also closely monitored 24 patients with the Omicron variant who are currently being treated at the hospital. None of the patients were in need of intensive care as they showed continuous improvement, he reported.
“The [RSPI] Hospital is also expected to convert more hospital beds into intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients [for a possible surge],” he added.
Abraham also ensured the public that the government had prepared sufficient numbers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), drugs and diagnostics, and other medical needs for the next three months.
According to him, a number of COVID-19 referral hospitals have started to tighten some visitation restrictions and limiting hospitalization of non COVID-19 patients to prevent a possible sudden rise of COVID-19 cases.
Pulmonologist at RSPI, Rosa Marlina, said that most of the Omicron patients treated at the hospital were generally young and had no comorbidities. Many of them were detected before departing for long trips, but none showed any symptoms.
“I hope the government will not rush to ease the mobility restrictions. The current cases tend to be less severe because the majority of people infected by this variant are young and healthy. The situation can worsen when the transmission has spread to the elderly and people with comorbid diseases,” said Rosa Marliana.
