Riau Wants Its Citizens To Immediately Get The Booster Vaccine To Face The Transmission Of XBB Variants

Riau Governor Syamsuar reminded the public to immediately carry out a third vaccine or booster to increase the body's immunity to deal with the COVID-19 virus variant, one of which is the XBB variant that has been found in this province.

"Based on the examination of the Health Research and Development Agency (Balitbangkes) of the Ministry of Health some time ago on 250 COVID-19 samples in Riau, 12 cases of COVID-19 patients in Riau were found exposed to the XBB variant virus," said Syamsuar, in a statement in Pekanbaru, Thursday, November 24, quoted from Antara.

A total of 12 cases of COVID-19, the Omicron XBB subvariant, have been detected in Riau since September-November 2022.

Therefore, he said, residents are expected to carry out booster vaccines because the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been completed. The public must follow the booster vaccine because the XBB variant has entered Riau.

"The XBB variant has a faster spread rate, even though Alhamdulillah all of its patients have recovered, but for those who have not been vaccinated, it is better to get vaccinated immediately," he said.

He said the COVID-19 case in Riau had not ended, so the public was advised to remain disciplined in health protocols (prokes).

The process in question is wearing a mask when leaving the house, washing hands with soap, avoiding crowds and still living a clean life and eating nutritious food.

Previously, the Spokesperson for Handling COVID-19, Wiku Adisasmito, said that the symptoms caused by the XBB sub-variant are not much different from other symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, muscle aches, anosmia, and diarrhea.