Jakarta Finds 70 Cases of Covid-19 Variant of Concerns

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta detected 70 cases of Covid-19 variant of concern (VOCs). The Health Agency’s Head of Disease Prevention and Control Unit, Dwi Oktavia, said the results were obtained from the examination on 987 samples suspected of containing new virus mutation.

“Of the number, 70 samples are declared as VOCs,” said Dwi in a written statement on Thursday, June 24.

The figure increased from the previous findings. Last week, June 17, the city administration sent 980 samples suspected of containing the mutated virus to the Health Ministry for the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) test. It turned out that 33 samples were new virus variants.

Dwi explained 33 of the 70 new variant cases were from people who had traveled abroad or known as imported cases, 19 cases were local transmissions of Delta variant in the capital, and 10 cases were also from local transmission in Bodetabek (Jakarta Greater Area) which the inspections were carried out in Jakarta.

“Eight cases are still being verified whether they are Delta variants from abroad or local transmissions,” Dwi added.

Dwi further outlined that 70 new Covid-19 variants consisted of 12 Alpha variants (B.117), 3 Beta variants (B.1.351), and 55 Delta variants (B.1617.2).

Based on Tempo's investigation, the number of residents infected with the Delta variant increased from 18 last week to 55. Meanwhile, there were no additional cases of the Alpha and Beta variants.

Read: Most Covid-19 Delta Variant Cases Detected in Central Java; Alpha in Jakarta

LANI DIANA WIJAYA