Eijkman Finds Covid-19 Delta Plus Variant in Indonesia
Translator
Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor
Petir Garda Bhwana
Kamis, 29 Juli 2021 12:39 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology Director, Amin Subandrio, stated that the Covid-19 Delta Plus variant (B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1) had been in Indonesia since three weeks ago. The said more dangerous variant was discovered in Jambi and Mamuju, as quoted from Kompas, July 28.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, said the variant is potentially resistant to life-saving drugs.
Its symptoms include cough, diarrhea, fever, headache, skin rash, discoloration of fingers and toes, chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IX Intan Fauzi urged the government to take early mitigation measures following the findings of the Delta Plus variant.
The government was also expected to strengthen efforts to find out the spread of Sars-Cov-2 mutation through the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in the archipelago. This, she opined, was the basis in making health policies to contain the pandemic.
“WGS as overall data is very important for the pandemic handling, especially with the addition of positive cases and deaths per day, and the procurement of Covid-19 vaccine brands to be used,” said Intan in her statement on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
Read: 759 Delta Variant Cases Spread in 19 Provinces
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