Ministry of Health: The distribution of the Delta variant is almost evenly distributed throughout Indonesia

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, revealed that the Delta variant has spread almost evenly in all regions in Indonesia. Based on the results of the latest research, 86% of the total specimens performed by Whole Genome Sequencing to map new variants are Delta variants.

“The Delta variant dominates 86% of the specimens sequenced in the last 60 days, coming from 24 provinces. So it can be said that this distribution is almost evenly distributed throughout Indonesia,” said Nadia, quoted from Antara, Sunday (1/8).

Therefore, Nadia explained that the Health Research and Development Agency (Litbangkes) continues to carry out WGS to trace the pattern of distribution of the COVID-19 virus variant in Indonesia. From the beginning of 2021 to July 28, said Nadia, Indonesia has reported 3,651 WGS results into the global database.

From the results of this WGS, there are three of the four variants of the corona virus that must be wary of (Variant of Concern) according to WHO, namely the Alpha, Beta and Delta variants. So, Nadia also reminded that the report deserves mutual attention, especially the potential for transmission of the new corona virus in Indonesia is still very high.

Furthermore, Nadia ensured that the government would strengthen testing and tracing, especially in densely populated settlements to reduce the rate of transmission of the corona virus.

This tracing mechanism uses the Silacak software system to make it easier to find out close contacts of patients, after which residents who experience close contacts will be directed to quarantine.

He added that the government is also committed to increasing its testing capacity from around 300 thousand to 500 thousand tests per day. In addition, the government is trying to increase vaccination coverage to achieve herd immunity and reduce mortality.

“We are also accelerating vaccines to increase the body’s immunity. Vaccination also reduces the risk of contracting, suffering from serious illness, and even the risk of death from patients infected with COVID-19,” he said.

On the other hand, Nadia asked for public participation and awareness in helping to inhibit, even cut off the transmission of the virus by complying with health protocols. Because the trend of adding cases is still high with an average of 40 thousand cases per day and there are no areas that are sterile from COVID-19.

Not to mention, the potential for transmission of the Delta variant is very high and is one of the factors that increase the mortality rate.

“As a measure to prevent the spread, people who are detected as positive cases are expected to immediately report to local officials so that they can be monitored and linked to health access,” he said.