Here's The Bad Impact If A Massive Case Of COVID-19 Mutations Occurs In Indonesia

JAKARTA - Many countries are currently dealing with virus mutations from COVID-19. In Indonesia, three types of new corona variants were found, namely B117, B1617, and B1351.

Internal medicine specialist Iris Rengganis said that currently, virus mutations in Indonesia are still in small numbers. However, it is possible that the mutation will grow bigger if the community does not adhere to health protocols.

"With mutations, we must be careful. Because mutations or new virus strains are transmitted more quickly. If people do not maintain health protocols, the transmission will be faster and will cause a second wave", said Rengganis in the Instagram @dkijakarta broadcast, quoted on Thursday, April 6.

The immunology allergy consultant said, if the mutations were still small, the government could still control them. Given, currently, the COVID-19 vaccination is running.

However, if the transmission of the COVID-19 mutation occurs on a large scale and results in a sharp spike in cases, there are other bad effects. Namely, vaccinations must be continuously updated.

"If the mutation is large-scale, it is likely that the strain will change. That means, we have to think about a vaccine that is adapted to the strain changes. Like influenza vaccination, a new one is made every year, because the strains change", said Rengganis.

"Maybe later (COVID-19) will also be like that. We don't know yet, huh. We'll see as time goes by", she added.

Therefore, Rengganis asked the public not to get bored of implementing health protocols, including for people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

For information, currently, there are 16 cases of virus mutation in Indonesia. A total of 13 cases were variant B117, 2 cases B1617, and 1 case B1351. A total of 10 cases were brought by foreign travelers and 4 cases B117 were local transmissions.

Currently, all B117 cases and 1 case B1617 have been declared cured. Then, there are 1 case B1617 who is still undergoing treatment at the hospital, and 1 case B1351 died on 16 February.