Indonesia Detects 19 Locally Transmitted Cases of Mutant Covid Strains: Deputy Health Minister

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia's Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono said that 19 locally transmitted cases of several new strains of the coronavirus known as variant of concern have been detected in the country. 

The variant of concern are the mutant strains of coronavirus comprising UK's variant (also known as B.1.1.7), South Africa's variant (B.1351), and India's covid-19 variant (B.1617.2). 

"It means that there has been a spread of local transmission in Indonesia for the variant of concern that occurred without a history of overseas travel," said Dante on Thursday, May 27.

"We also identify several provinces where variant of concern was found. So, the mutations have occurred in several places in Indonesia," he said.

Also read: More Indonesian Medics in Cilacap, Central Java Contract Covid-19

Meanwhile, Dante revealed that 35 people contracted Covid-19 while traveling overseas. This included 14 Filipino crew members whose ship berthed at the Cilacap Port. The relevant authorities then conducted contact tracing to the people in the area. 

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"A ship carrying Filipino nationals docked in Cilacap Port after sailing from India. We carried out genomic screening on 20 crew members and found that 14 people contracted Covid-19 which then infected 31 health care workers," he explained.

The 31 Indonesian health care workers still contracted the coronavirus even though they had equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE). Dante said contact tracing was also done in the family of the health care workers to stop the spread of the coronavirus. In total, 49 people comprising health care workers and non-health care workers have tested positive for the coronavirus. Of the total number, six health care workers contracted India's Covid-19 variant.    

Also read: Covid-19 Cases Surge in 10 Indonesian Provinces

The deputy minister said the increasing number of Covid-19 cases showed a faster transmission rate of the virus mutation.

"We are now dealing with two issues. First, the increasing number of Covid-19 cases after the annual Idul Fitri homecoming. Second, the characteristics of the new variants are easier to spread in Indonesia now," he said.

Here are the 12 areas in Indonesia where locally transmitted cases of variants of concern found:

1. Palembang, South Sumatra, 1 case of B.117, 2 cases of B.1617

2. Prabumulih, South Sumatra, 1 case of B.1617

3. Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir, South Sumatra, 1 case of B.1617