UGM Genetics Working Group: Variant Of Corona AY.4.2 Has Not Been Proven More Violent

YOGYAKARTA - Head of the Genetic Working Group of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing (FKKMK) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Dr Gunadi said the new variant of the corona virus AY.4.2 or Delta Plus has not been proven to be more virulent than the Delta variant.

"Once again AY.4.2 there is no evidence that shows it is more virulent or more easily transmitted than its parent variant, the Delta variant (B.1,617.2)," Gunadi said in a written statement quoted by Antara, Monday, November 15.

Delta Plus, said Gunadi, is the result of natural mutations that occur in viruses including SARS-CoV-2. However, mutations are not always more dangerous.

Gunadi said that until now there is no research evidence that confirms the level of malignancy of this variant exceeds the Delta variant.

In addition, the British health authorities have not yet classified the variant as a variant of concern (VoC) or one that needs to be watched out for or a variant of interest (VoI) or one that needs attention.

"The British Health Authority has also just classified it as a variant under investigation," he said.

Although the Delta Plus or AY.4.2 variant comes from the UK and has now been detected in Malaysia, according to him, the government still has to tighten the border to anticipate the entry of each new variant.

"Actually, the prevention of the spread of any variant, including AY.4.2 is the same. The government should have anticipated it, including related to borders between countries," said Gunadi.

According to him, the increase in the recent surge in transmission of COVID-19 cases in the UK, according to him, is not necessarily caused by this variant, because the increase in transmission is also triggered by the loosening of the implementation of health restrictions and protocols.

"Depending on many factors, one of the important factors is how the community's activities, especially health programs," he said.

According to him, health protocols must be strengthened in all activities in the community until "herd immunity" is achieved.

As long as COVID-19 has not been controlled and group immunity has not been established, he said strict procedures and restrictions on residents' activities still need to be prioritized by the government.

"The key is one, prokes. How long? Until communal immunity is achieved," said Gunadi.