The Delta Variant Has 'Crossed' To West Sumatra, The COVID-19 Task Force Reminds Residents Of How Fast This Virus Spreads

Spokesperson for the West Sumatra COVID-19 Task Force, Jasman Rizal (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the West Sumatra (Sumbar) COVID-19 Task Force, Jasman Rizal, revealed that the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, which was first discovered in India, had entered West Sumatra.

"The Delta variant of the coronavirus has entered West Sumatra, we must be vigilant because it is more easily transmitted", said Jasman in Padang, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, July 7.

He explained, based on research results, the Delta variant has a higher transmission rate of up to 40 percent than the Alpha variant. The reason is that the proteins on the surface of the Delta variant more easily blend and blend with human cells.

As a result, this variant of the virus more easily defeats the immune system and infects humans. In addition, the Delta variant has a higher severity. There are quite a lot of positive patients with delta variant COVID-19 who require hospitalization than other COVID-19 variants.

Then the delta variant is known to cause more severe complications in elderly patients or who have previous comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma.

"This new variant is also easier to infect children, adolescents, and adults under the age of 50", he said.

He mentioned that in the past few days the positive number of COVID-19 in West Sumatra was in the hundreds. For West Sumatra in a day reached 500 people. Whereas in Padang it reaches two hundred to three hundred people a day.

"This figure makes West Sumatra the third-highest area at the national level", he said.

That's why he appealed to all citizens to get vaccinated. Because according to him, the vaccine is a step to save yourself from the dangers of the coronavirus. "If you want to survive, immediately vaccinate", he said.

Jasman said that currently, the public health center in Padang is open 24 hours. Through the vaccine, a person's antibodies will be formed to fight the virus.

"Let's invite as many people as possible for the vaccine", he added.

On the other hand, Jasman said the AstraZeneca vaccine forms faster antibodies. Once injected, a month after it will form antibodies that can fight the virus. But the day after injecting this type of vaccine, a person will feel a fever.

"While the Sinovac vaccine takes three months for antibodies to form", he said.