IDI: New COVID-19 Variants Can Be Detected Through A PCR-Based Swab Test

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JAKARTA - Chairperson of the COVID-19 Task Force for the Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) Zubairi Djoerban said the new variant of COVID-19 that was initially found in the UK was detected through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based swab test. Therefore, IDI asks the public not to worry about diagnosing a new variant of COVID-19.

"Now the virus is changing clothes, but PCR can still detect the head and feet. This means that PCR can still detect this new variant, so there is no need to worry too much for diagnosis," said Zubairi in a talk show broadcast on BNPB YouTube account, Tuesday, December 29. .

He said, the mutation of the corona virus named B117 was indeed more infectious. In fact, Zubairi said the new virus was 71 percent more infectious than the previous virus. But, he made sure this virus was not deadlier.

"Experts are now very, very confident that (the new virus, red) is very, very contagious, but it is no more painful. Again, no more deadly," he said.

In addition, this new virus variant can still be overcome by the COVID-19 vaccine which is currently being worked on by experts. Zubairi said experts were also optimistic about this, although the proof still had to be done with research involving COVID-19 patients with new variants.

"Experts remain optimistic because they know that if we are vaccinated we will have immunity in many places. Now, if there is a new variant virus, it will fail in one place. This means that other immunity will continue," he said.

"This means that we remain optimistic and soon we will get more solid data," he added.

As previously reported, in South Wales, England a new variant of COVID-19 has been found. The government hopes that this new virus will not worsen the development of handling COVID-19 in Indonesia.

Currently, the new virus has also attacked other countries such as Singapore, Nigeria, France, and South Korea.