Omicron Eris Subvariant Found in Indonesia, Vigilance Still Needed

The Omicron EG.5.1 subvariant or the Eris subvariant has been confirmed in Indonesia. Even though it has not shown the impact of the spike in cases, the community is expected to remain vigilant.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA

Medical personnel are preparing to enter the ICU at Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the Omicron subvariant EG.5.1 or also known as the Eris subvariant has been found in Indonesia. Monitoring is still being conducted regarding the development of the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of Covid-19. The public is expected to remain vigilant through the implementation of health protocols.

Health Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Syahril stated that there are at least 12 confirmed cases of the Eris subvariant in Indonesia. These cases have been identified since March 2023.

"The public is advised not to worry about the Eris virus variant. So far, there has been no surge in cases and it has not caused severe illness or death," he said when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday (8/8/2023)."

Also read: Covid-19 cases in Indonesia are still fluctuating

Syahril stated that even though there is no panic and fear, the community is expected to remain vigilant. Implementation of clean and healthy living behavior must still be done with discipline. In addition, the use of masks is also recommended, especially for people who are sick or in environments that are at risk of transmission.

AFP/NOEL CELIS

Medical personnel are registering residents who will receive the Covid-19 vaccine at the Chaoyang City Planning Museum in Beijing, China. The National Health Commission said on Friday that there were 1,001 patients hospitalized due to Covid-19, with 26 of them in serious condition.

COVID-19 vaccination is also expected to be complemented. The vaccine is still effective in protecting oneself from the risk of deterioration due to contracting COVID-19, especially in vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, people with comorbidities, as well as pregnant women and children.

The public is expected not to be anxious about the Eris virus variant. So far, there has been no surge in cases and it has not caused severe illness and death.

On July 19, 2023, the EG.5.1 subvariant was classified as a variant under monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization (WHO). This variant has also been reported to have caused an increase in cases in several regions, such as in England. When first detected, it was estimated that 1 out of 10 cases were detected with the EG.5.1 subvariant, but two weeks later, 1 out of 7 cases were detected with this subvariant.

Epidemiologist from Griffith University Australia, Dicky Budiman, stated that the discovery of the EG.5.1 subvariant shows that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still present in society and still mutating. The low risk of deterioration and death also indicates that vaccinations given in the community are effective in preventing the adverse effects of transmission.

Also read: Strengthening Health Services to Face a Future Pandemic

However, monitoring on case developments must be strengthened. The public is also expected to remain vigilant by mitigating the prevention of transmission of Covid-19, including by wearing masks. Vaccinations are also expected to be completed up to booster doses.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Residents received a booster dose of the Indovac Covid-19 vaccine at the Menteng Community Health Center in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (3/5/2023). Previously, the Indovac vaccine could only be used for the third dose. This rule is in accordance with the Circular Letter from the Covid-19 Handling Task Force.

"The symptoms of this variant are generally still the same as the previous variant. The public is expected not to panic because although this variant has the potential to become dominant, the serious impacts that can be caused by this variant have not yet been seen. We are still monitoring its development," said Dicky.

Meanwhile, regarding the condition of Covid-19 in Indonesia, referring to the data from infeksiemerging.kemkes.go.id on August 6, 2023, the confirmed positive cases of Covid-19 in Indonesia have increased by 13 cases. The total number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia since the beginning of the reporting is now 6.8 million cases with 161,916 deaths.

In terms of Covid-19 vaccination coverage, the June primary dose reached 74.5 percent of the target. Meanwhile, the coverage of the third dose vaccination has only reached 38.13 percent of the target.

Preparation for the next pandemic

The Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, previously urged each country to maintain the control system that has been established for handling Covid-19. In addition to dealing with ongoing transmissions, the control system is also needed to prepare for the next pandemic. "The next pandemic will not wait for us. We must be prepared," he said.

The Director of Graduate School at Yarsi University, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, stated that a long-term strategy plan for handling Covid-19 needs to be prepared by the Indonesian Government. The document for handling Covid-19 strategy aligns with the document issued by the WHO concerning the prevention, preparedness, and response strategy towards Covid-19 for 2023-2025.

Also read: Important Lessons from the Early Period of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia

"With the existence of Presidential Regulation Number 48 of 2023 regarding the termination of Covid-19 Pandemic Handling, this makes Covid-19 the second infectious disease whose control status is applied up to the level of presidential regulation besides tuberculosis," he said.