All the patients had mild symptoms, such as cough and flu. However, all patients have recovered, and they only self-isolated and were not hospitalizedJakarta (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry reported that four patients in Indonesia that were infected with the COVID-19 XBB variant had recovered.
"All the patients had mild symptoms, such as cough and flu. However, all patients have recovered, and they only self-isolated and were not hospitalized," Health Ministry’s spokesperson, Mohammad Syahril, noted here on Wednesday.
As of Tuesday (October 25), a total of four cases of the COVID-19 XBB variant were reported in Indonesia.
Syahril said, out of the four patients, three are located in Jakarta and one in Surabaya.
He noted that in Jakarta, two of the cases were of local transmission, while the other had contracted the infection from overseas. The other one in Surabaya, East Java, was infected overseas.
Related news: PAEI calls for bolstering health protocols to prevent XBB spread
“The two overseas-transmitted patients have a history (of traveling) from Singapore and two patients with local transmission," he remarked.
He noted that all patients with the XBB variant have received vaccinations, the two primary doses and the booster shot.
Moreover, Syahril said the ministry has made anticipatory efforts by tracing and testing close contacts following the findings of the XBB variant cases, and the results were negative.
Related news: XBB emergence highlights need to strengthen health protocols: ministry
However, he warned that the emergence of the new subvariant of COVID-19 has the potential to cause a surge in cases.
Hence, the public was urged to continue to prioritize health protocols, such as wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and washing hands with soap, as well as undergoing testing if they experience signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
According to Syahril, a surge in cases is usually associated with the emergence of a new subvariant.
Related news: Indonesians urged to observe health protocols following XBB emergence
Hence, Syahril urged the public to immediately complete the COVID-19 primary vaccination, including the booster dose, to increase protection against COVID-19.
“The vaccination is our effort to provide antibodies to the community to have the strength and not be seriously ill," he said.
Related news: Prompt herd immunity formation protects Indonesia from XBB: Minister
Related news: Indonesia receives five million doses of COVID-19 vaccine: Minister
Translator: Zubi M, Kenzu
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
