INDONESIA has detected its first case of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, among cleaning staff at a quarantine centre in Wisma Atlet, Jakarta – the largest such centre in the country.

“We detected a patient, with the initial N, who confirmed positive for the Omicron variant last night,” said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during a virtual press briefing today.

The patient is one of three cleaners who tested positive for the coronavirus during a routine screening for frontliners on December 10.

Budi said based on genome sequencing, the patient tested positive for Omicron, adding that the public must remain vigilant and obey health guidelines.

Indonesia reported 205 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, pushing the total number of reported infections to 4.25 million. – Bernama, December 16, 2021.