TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Three of the four coronavirus variants of concern or VoC have been detected in Indonesia, namely; Alpha variant (B.1.17) that is first identified in England; Beta variant (B.1351) first identified in South Africa, and Delta variant (B.1.617.2) first identified in India. The new variant of Covid-19 is reported to be more infectious and increases the severity of the disease.

The Health Ministry’s Research and Development Agency Data as of June 20, 2021, showed there were 211 cases of new Covid-19 variants. In detail, 45 Alpha variant cases, 6 Beta variant cases, and 160 Delta variant cases. The cases were detected from the whole genome sequencing test on 2,242 samples.

A total of 45 cases of Alpha variant were found in 10 provinces. Most of them were in Jakarta with 33 cases, followed by West Java (2 cases), East Java (2 cases), North Sumatra (2 cases), and Bali, South Kalimantan, Central Java, South Sumatra, Riau Islands, and Riau (1 case).

The 6 cases of Beta variant were discovered in 3 provinces; Jakarta (4 cases), East Java, and Bali (1 case).

Meanwhile, 160 cases of Delta variant of Covid-19 were found in nine provinces. Most of the cases were in Central Java with 80 cases, followed by Jakarta (57 cases), East Java (10 cases), Central Kalimantan (3 cases), East Kalimantan (3 cases), South Sumatra (3 cases), Banten (2 cases), West Java (1 case), and Gorontalo (1 case).

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DEWI NURITA