The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) predicts a potential spike in COVID-19 cases during community mobilization on the Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 holidays. The trend of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has been increasing since the period 8th–14th of October 2023. As of 19th of December 2023, the Ministry of Health noted that there were 2,548 active cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia. This increase is in line with the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases in neighboring countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia. For this reason, the public is advised to re-enforce health protocols when traveling or carrying out activities during the end-of-year holidays.
Lecturer at the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) Universitas Indonesia (UI), DR. Dr. Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, M.Sc. said prevention is much better than curing, and needs to be done before a major outbreak occurs again. “Health protocols are key in preventing COVID-19. By implementing health protocols that are not half-hearted and are implemented by the entire community, efforts to prevent COVID-19 can run effectively. Even though it will not 100% prevent COVID-19, this health protocol can prevent an increase in COVID-19 cases,” he said.
In order to reduce the possibility of transmission of cases in the community, maintaining distance and using masks is a must, whether in tourist attractions, accommodation, restaurants or other public places. Dr. Miko emphasized that health policies and protocols in public places are government regulations that must be implemented and that there are significant penalties for violators. Apart from that, people who experience symptoms of COVID-19 such as coughing, shortness of breath, runny nose and fever, especially accompanied by a cough, are advised not to gather in crowds and not force themselves to travel.
Considering that Indonesia is currently entering the rainy season which often causes illnesses such as flu and coughs that are similar to the symptoms of COVID-19, people need to be more observant and proactive in carrying out healthchecks. Dr. Miko said, “Influenza or colds caused by influenza A and B viruses and other microorganisms are difficult to differentiate from COVID-19 virus infection. Special tests for COVID-19, influenzae viruses, or other microorganisms are needed to determine the exact cause of these symptoms.”
For people who plan to travel long distances, Dr. Miko assesses that the safest transportation to use currently is airplanes, followed by inter-provincial trains, then buses, and all transportation that strictly enforces regulations. It is also important to choose a hotel or accommodation that] enforces health protocols. “However, the policy of wearing masks is now rarely implemented by people in all places and on all transportation. Therefore, the Government must reiterate health protocols carefully and adequately so that the transmission of COVID-19 can be reduced,” he said.
To monitor the dynamics and development of COVID-19 cases in holiday destinations, Dr. Miko assessed that surveillance of COVID-19 cases and the presence of reagents for throat swab examinations must be carried out immediately in all districts/cities in Indonesia. He said, “This surveillance should have been carried out since the end of the pandemic in March 2023, until now. With good surveillance of COVID-19 cases and Whole Genome Sequencing Surveillance (WGSS), we can understand the spread of COVID-19 and the mutation of the virus in Indonesia.”
Currently, mutations of the COVID-19 virus continue to occur throughout the world. Dr. Miko said the COVID-19 sub variants that have been identified in Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia currently are XBB.1.5, EG.5 and JN.1. These three sub variants are sub variants of the Omicron variant with characteristics of faster transmission and sometimes present without clear fever symptoms. Meanwhile, the EG.1 and EG.2 subvariants have only been identified in Singapore. However, with the opening of international flights and loosening of health protocols, this subvariant may be able to enter Indonesia.
Dr. Miko believes that vaccination needs to be promoted in the hope of reducing the number of serious cases in Indonesia. However, he also revealed that the current vaccine cannot anticipate sub variants or new variants. This has given rise to debate about whether vaccines can prevent infection or simply reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease. Therefore, in addition to vaccination, people are also advised to consume foods that are nutritious and contain probiotics because they can prevent infectious diseases that are transmitted through droplets or air.