UGM Asks People Not To Worry Too Much Of The New Covid-19 Variant, To Stay Obedient To The Health Protocol

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YOGYAKARTA - Chair of the Genetics Working Group of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing (FKKMK) UGM (Gajah Mada University), Dr. Gunadi, asked the public not to worry too much about the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19, B117.

According to FKKMK UGM, there are no reports of a relationship between this British variant and the severity of COVID-19 patients.

"Research in early December stated there was no relationship between this British variant and the severity of COVID-19 patients. Recent research shows that this variant increases the risk or severity of patients. However, further research is needed to confirm it", Gunadi said as quoted by Antara, Thursday, March 4th.

To anticipate not to be infected with this British variant mutation, the public is expected to maintain strict 3M health protocols by always wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining distance by avoiding crowds.

"The public may be aware of these new mutations, but they don't need to be treated with excessive concern. The community still has to implement 3M", he said.

Gunadi said the issue that said the new variant was immune to vaccines was not true. This is because research data shows that this variant does not have a significant effect on vaccine efficacy.

"The information is not true, research data shows that this variant has no significant effect on the efficacy of vaccines already in circulation, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac", he said.

To anticipate the spread of this British variant, Gunadi hopes that the government through the COVID-19 Task Force will carry out contact tracing precisely and quickly, especially patients from overseas trips.

Furthermore, the government needs to continue to improve genomic surveillance and limit the unnecessary mobility of citizens.