JAYAPURA - Task Force COVID - 19 Papua Province reported active cases of coronavirus transmission in Papua Province on Thursday (1/27/2022) there were a total of 82 cases, Jayapura City has 36 cases.

Then Paniai Regency with 22 cases, Mimika Regency 10 cases, Yapen Regency 8 cases, Jayawijaya Regency 3 cases, and Merauke Regency 2 cases.

Head of National Institute of Health Research and Development of Papua, Antonius Oktavian said that until now there are 40 samples of suspected variants of Omicron that are being examined.

The increase in new cases is increasing sharply, the majority of which are from outside Papua.

"New cases in Papua have risen sharply in the past day, with the majority traveling from outside."

"Therefore today (Friday) increased the number of samples that entered to be examined and until now there are still 5 samples. Of course, it will still run the PCR inspection tool," said Antonius.

"While the Spokesman of the Papua COVID-19 Task Force, Silvanus Sumule assessed that it needs to be considered to immediately make a policy of double checking with rapid antigen at the entrances in Papua Province.

This aims to be able to control COVID cases in Papua, because the transmission of the new variant of Omicron virus is very fast. Even the incubation period according to experts is only three days. ***