Nakes In Jakarta Contracted COVID-19 B1617 Mutation, Almost 200 People Traced

ILLUSTRATION/PIXABAY

JAKARTA - Two cases of COVID-19 B1617 mutation from India were found in Jakarta. One of the cases of this new variant transmits health workers. One case was a WNA from India.

However, Head of The Epidemiological surveillance and Immunization Section of the Dki Jakarta Health Office Ngabila Salama called the two cases unrelated.

Because, the WNA was immediately isolated in the hospital. Meanwhile, Ngabila suspects that the health worker contracted COVID-19 from people around him.

"That's two different cases. These health workers have been vaccinated and are still positive twice. It is possible to contract it from the community of people around, but it can not be traced further, he tetular from where," Ngabila said when contacted, Thursday, May 20.

When the nakes was declared infected with B1617 through whole genome sequencing (WGS), Dinkes DKI immediately conducted contact searches for hundreds of people, including patients who had contact with the nakes.

"Tracing has been done very massively. People who are tracing quite a lot, almost 200 people. Some are patients, there are nakes," he said.

Recently, a new variant of coronavirus also transmits Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) who come from Malaysia and return to Indonesia. One person was infected with the B117 virus from England and another person was infected with B1351 from South Africa.

With the findings of additional cases of new variants in Indonesia, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin asked the public to implement strict health protocols to avoid a potential spike in cases in Indonesia. Because, COVID-19 mutation has faster transmission capability.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the transmission of this variant is higher. Therefore, all we have to do as ordinary people is make sure the health protocols are adhered to. Wear a mask especially," said Budi.