Task Force: No Evidence Yet Proving Coronavirus Mutation More Infectious

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Wiku Adisasmito, spokesman and the expert team chairman of the national Covid-19 mitigation task force, said his side had received information about the existence of coronavirus mutation identified as D614G.

However, he asserted, there was no evidence that the virus mutation was more infectious thus far.

“We observe it by detecting the RNA of this Sars-Cov-2 which is usually higher via mouth and nose swabs. And it does not necessarily reflect the potential for transmission. What’s clear is it is infectious, but its transmission potential cannot be concluded yet,” said Wiku in a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

According to Wiku, further research is necessary to detect the types of new coronavirus existing in Indonesia. The Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, universities, and hospitals were expected to detect whether there is transformation or mutation of the virus.

Additionally, he said D614G had not been proven to worsen the patient’s condition. He said a similar mutation was discovered in 999 cases in the United Kingdom. There were also two independent studies from 175 patients in Seattle and 88 patients in Chicago, Illinois, the United States that supported the matter.

“Current evidence suggests that D614G is not yet too important than other risk factors such as age and comorbidities,” Wiku added.

However, Wiku Adisasmito underlined research and investigation regarding the spread of coronavirus mutation would be continued by research institutions in collaboration with the Health Ministry.

Read: Indonesia Detects COronaviru Mutation

EGI ADYATAMA