UNAIR NEWS – The first Covid-19 case of Omicron variant in Indonesia was discovered on Thursday, December 16, 2021. Since then, the number of cases of Omicron variant in Indonesia has continued to grow. Laura Navika Yamani, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., one of the epidemiologists, Faculty of Public Health (FKM) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), said there are four characteristics of the Omicron variant that distinguishes it from other variants.
More contagious than delta variant
Laura revealed that since the Omicron variant was first discovered in South Africa, the Covid-19 cases had increased two to three times in just one week. The Omicron variant needs to be watched out for because its transmission power is five times faster than the delta variant.
“The Covid-19 virus, the delta variant, transmits seven times faster than the virus that first appeared in Wuhan, while Omicron is five times faster than the delta variant. So you can imagine how dangerous this Omicron variant is,” added Laura.
Lower severity
Laura also revealed that the Omicron variant has a lower severity than the delta variant. However, she continued, what needs to be emphasized is that the Omicron variant has a faster transmission rate and no early anticipative steps, so that many people are infected, leading to a wider transmission.
“If it is not contained, the number of cases will increase, and it may lead to overcapacity in health facilities. When the health facilities are full, the treatment of patients would be delayed and the severity of the patient’s illness increases or even causes death,” said Laura on Wednesday, December 29, 2021.
Detection of Omicron variants using PCR-SGTF
Furthermore, Laura explained that previously, to know which variant of the Covid-19 virus someone had contracted, they had to use a test using the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) method. But now, to find out if someone is infected with the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, they must use the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test with S Gene Target Failure (SGTF).
“The government has prepared the latest test method, using PCR-SGTF so that the detection of Covid-19 cases of the Omicron variant can be carried out quickly,” she said.
Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness decreases against Omicron variant
When a new variant of the Covid-19 virus emerged, there was concern that the variant could escape the antibodies formed from the vaccine. According to Laura, the purpose of escaping can be interpreted that the antibodies in the body cannot recognize the incoming Covid-19 virus.
The Covid-19 vaccine given can still fight the Omicron variant. However, from the investigation results, it was found that there was a decrease in the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“For the variant of the Covid-19 virus that first appeared in Wuhan, the Covid-19 vaccine has an effectiveness of up to 95%, but against this Omicron variant, the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine has decreased and is only 50%. Researchers are still conducting investigations regarding this matter,” said Laura.
Keep applying 3 M campaign and get vaccinations
Finally, Laura appealed to the public to strictly apply the 3 M. According to her, one of the efforts to fight any variant of the Covid-19 virus is to apply the 3 M.
Furthermore, the public is advised to get vaccine shots because the Covid-19 vaccine is still effective against the Covid-19 virus entering the body. If not vaccinated, she continued, any variant can cause death. (*)
Author: Dita Aulia Rahma
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
