As compared to healthy people (with no comorbidity), it is clear that reinfection among people with comorbidities can be higher, especially with viral mutations and new variants, such as OmicronJakarta (ANTARA) - People with comorbidities have a higher likelihood of being reinfected with COVID-19, according to Head of the Indonesia Immunology and Allergy Association (Peralmuni) Iris Rengganis.
"As compared to healthy people (with no comorbidity), it is clear that reinfection among people with comorbidities can be higher, especially with viral mutations and new variants, such as Omicron," Rengganis noted during an online discussion titled "COVID-19 Reinfection: What is going on in our bodies?" here on Wednesday.
Rengganis pointed out that people with comorbidities, autoimmune disorders, or older adults have a lower level of antibodies as compared to healthy people.
The Peralmuni head explained that in general, reinfection is a condition wherein a person infected with a disease once, contracts it again after having recovered.
According to Rengganis, reinfection can occur because the body's immune system has started to weaken or cannot detect the virus that enters the body.
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"A new variant arises because there are mutations due to which our immune system may not recognize it after the umpteenth mutation, as the vaccine is made according to the type of virus spreading at that time," she explained.
Apart from boosting compliance with health protocols to prevent reinfections, the community immunity must also be increased, especially since the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is still spreading in Indonesia.
"Earlier, the WHO (World Health Organization) said that 70 percent (of the vaccination coverage) is enough to achieve herd immunity. However, with the spread of Omicron, I am not sure it is enough. It is expected to be 85 to 90 percent," she remarked.
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The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of March 2, 2022, Indonesia had recorded a total of 5,630,096 COVID-19 cases, 4,944,237 recoveries, and 149,036 deaths.
The Ministry of Health detected the first Omicron case in Indonesia on December 15, 2021. With the spread of the new variant, Indonesia has recorded a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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