The origin of the virus that causes Covid-19 is still unclear. In its report, the investigative team of the World Health Organization said further studies were needed to find out.
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KOMPAS TEAM
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AP PHOTO/NG HAN GUAN, FILE
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2021, file photo, Peter Ben Embarek of the World Health Organization team holds up a chart showing pathways of transmission of the virus during a joint news conference at the end of the WHO mission in Wuhan in central China\'s Hubei province. A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is "extremely unlikely," according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.
GENEVA, TUESDAY – The joint research team formed by the World Health Organization (WHO) has not been able to determine the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19. Further and more in-depth research is still needed to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus found in bats, which could have originated in Wuhan or other regions in East and Southeast Asia.
Although they are not certain about the origin of the virus, WHO investigation team leader Dr Peter Ben Embarek, in his explanation on Tuesday (30/3/2021), said the team believed the SARS-CoV-2 virus circled sporadically in Wuhan in November and December of 2019, or even since October.
The problem is, however, that the coronavirus found in bats is very different from SARS-CoV-2. Because of this, it is suspected that there is an intermediate host between bats and humans. The missing link has not been identified by the research team consisting 17 experts from China and 17 international experts. “We are investigating how this virus has been circulating in Wuhan. Whether this virus originated in other cities or other parts of China still needs further study,” he said.
The time to act is now. The world cannot wait until the pandemic is over to start planning for what comes next.
Throughout 2020, there were reports of SARS-CoV-2 being found in a number of other animals, such as skunks, for which their fur and meat were taken. In fact, skunk farms in several countries have reportedly contributed to the COVID-19 outbreak. “The increase in the number of animals susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, including those bred in densely populated areas, have allowed the spread of disease from animals,” the WHO report said.
Additionally, the WHO joint team also concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic was unlikely to be triggered by a laboratory leak. More research is still needed to identify the origin of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
A few hours prior to the official announcement concerning the origin of the virus, 25 government heads agreed to call for a new international COVID-19 pact to better combat the pandemic through improved coordination. Reflecting on the experience of the pandemic, citizens all over the world are reminded that no one is safe until everyone is safe. “The time to act is now. The world cannot wait until the pandemic is over to start planning for what comes next,” said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
AP PHOTO/NG HAN GUAN, FILE
FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2021, file photo, a member of a World Health Organization team is seen wearing protective gear during a field visit to the Hubei Animal Disease Control and Prevention Center for another day of field visit in Wuhan in central China\'s Hubei province. A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is “extremely unlikely," according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.
Use of AstraZeneca vaccine continues
In Indonesia, it was reported that the National Commission for Post-Immunization Events (Komnas KIPI) has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca in the national vaccination drive. Side effects from the use of this vaccine are said to be mild, including those reported by several vaccine recipients in North Sulawesi.
“Almost all reports of adverse reaction following immunization [AEFI] have seen recoveries. We have also recommended that this vaccine [developed by AstraZeneca] continue to be used in the national vaccination drive, including in North Sulawesi. However, more in-depth studies will still be carried out periodically,” said Komnas KIPI chairman Hindra Irawan Satari in Jakarta, Tuesday (30/3).
According to Hindra, studies of AEFI reports on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in North Sulawesi had been carried out with relevant parties. From this study, it was found that the side effects were mild. Some AEFIs were also associated with anxiety from biopsy-social factors.
In East Java, the vaccination drive using the AstraZeneca vaccine is also ongoing, especially for vulnerable groups. This time, 2,332 community service workers at Juanda International Airport in Sidoarjo regency, Surabaya received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Sidoarjo health agency head Syaf Satriawarman said there had been no reports of AEFIs from recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Thus, the vaccine will still be used in the program to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations. The Riau Islands health agency will also continue use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Health Ministry COVID-19 vaccinations spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi said the AstraZeneca vaccine Indonesia received was obtained through the multilateral cooperation with the COVAX Facillity. The vaccine was then distributed to seven provinces, namely Bali, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara, Riau Islands, North Sulawesi, Maluku and Jakarta.
