The new COVID-19 variant has been detected in Malaysia and Singapore, regions close to Aceh
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has asked Aceh to increase vigilance against the new Delta AY.4.2 variant of COVID-19 given the region's proximity to Malaysia and Singapore where the variant has been reported.

"The new COVID-19 variant has been detected in Malaysia and Singapore, regions close to Aceh. Therefore, the Aceh government must stay alert," Amin said while chairing a meeting at the Aceh Governor's Office on Tuesday.

The Vice President asked the people of Aceh to improve the implementation of the health protocols and accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations.

He also said that Aceh's low vaccination coverage compared to other regions in Indonesia was regrettable.

"Aceh is one of the provinces with low vaccination coverage among other provinces in Indonesia. We must expedite vaccinations in Aceh. The implementation of health protocols and massive vaccinations are part of our efforts to handle the pandemic," Amin said.

Earlier, chairman of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN), Airlangga Hartarto, had named Aceh, West Sumatra, West Sulawesi, and Papua as provinces with low vaccination coverage.

"President Joko Widodo urged Papua, Aceh, West Sumatra, and West Sulawesi to immediately expedite vaccinations in their region since they have the lowest vaccination coverage of 24 to 33 percent," Hartarto informed.

Related to the Delta AY.4.2. or Delta Plus variant in Malaysia, the Malaysian Health Ministry had confirmed two cases as of November 6, 2021.

The variant was detected in two Malaysian students who had just returned from England. England is one of the countries with high virus transmission, accounting for up to 96 percent of the infections in the world.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Delta Plus variant has been detected in 42 countries, including the United Kingdom, India, Israel, the United States, and Russia.

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Translator: Fransiska N, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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