Indonesian Doctors Association: Delta Covid-19 Strain Poses More Risks to Society

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian Doctors Association or IDI has warned that the Delta strain of Covid-19 from India poses more risks to various segments of society, because of its quick transmission and the rapidity of its symptoms.

“The Delta strain of Covid-19 poses greater risk to pregnant women, as it could affect their fetus, while for breastfeeding mothers this variant can adversely affect their children. The strain can also be transmitted to young children,” said IDI chairman Daeng Muhammad Faqih on Saturday.

Also read: 60 Percent of Expectant Mothers in A West Java Women and Children's Hospital Contract Covid-19: Senior Minister

“The symptoms start off mundanely at first, such as shortness of breath, then they quickly worsen. That is why those infected [with the Delta strain] should be promptly treated, as the slightest delay can be fatal.”

He added that these characteristics of the Delta variant, which is also known as B.1.617.2, make it particularly dangerous to young people.

Also read: Indonesia Faces Covid-19 Surge in Mid-June

“The strain’s seemingly ordinary symptoms at its beginning, such as shortness of breath and sores, combined with its rapid transmission, particularly put young people at risk. They tend to delay treatment until their symptoms advance or worsen, as they dismiss the early warning signs,” he said.

Indonesia’s Covid-19 Task Force identified the B.1.617.2 strain to be behind most Covid-19 cases in Jakarta, as well as clusters in coronavirus hotspots such as Kudus Regency in Central Java province, as well as Bangkalan Regency in East Java province.

The Task Force based its findings on the Whole Genome Sequencing tracing method.

(Writer: Dian Erika Nugraheny | Editor: Dani Prabowo)

Sources: 

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/19/12061711/idi-ingatkan-bahaya-varian-delta-bagi-ibu-hamil-ibu-menyusui-dan-anak-anak. 

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/19/11361831/idi-varian-delta-virus-corona-lebih-berbahaya-banyak-menyerang-orang-berusia.