The Indonesian Ministry of Health detected the Omicron XBB subvariant in Indonesia. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, M. Syahril said that the first XBB case in Indonesia was a local transmission. This XBB variant was detected in a 29-year-old woman who had just returned from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. There are symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, and fever. Then, she was tested positive on September 26. After undergoing isolation, the patient was declared cured on October 3.

Following this finding, the Ministry of Health rushed to take anticipatory efforts by testing and tracing 10 close contacts. As a result, all close contacts tested negative for the XBB variant of COVID-19.

Syahril further said that although the new XBB variant is contagious, the fatality is no more severe than the Omicron variant. However, the country cannot be said to be safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, various mutations of new variants still have the potential to continue to occur. In recent days, cases have also been reported to increase in 24 provinces.

Since the first discovery of the Omicron XBB subvariant, 24 countries have reported the finding of this subvariant. Syahril also said that this XBB variant caused a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in Singapore, accompanied by an increase in the trend of hospitalization. In the country, this variant has triggered a rise in cases to 6,000 positive confirmations per day.

Transmission of various variants of COVID-19 usually increases after the holiday season. Soon, we will welcome the Christmas and New Year holidays. This is when our vigilance must be raised.  Although the various variants of this virus are getting weaker, for certain people this virus can still be deadly.

Fortunately, Indonesia has not relaxed its vigilance against this virus. Inside buildings and on public transportation, the use of masks is still mandatory. Vaccination continues. However, this country is also not completely free from COVID-19. Each individual still has to take care of themselves by wearing a mask, washing their hands as often as possible, avoiding crowds and reducing travel.