Covid Comeback, Panic or Pack a Picnic?

As the 2023-2024 Nataru (Christmas and New Year) holiday approaches, anticipation is building among many people in Indonesia. The long year-end holiday is eagerly awaited, offering the perfect opportunity to explore various tourist destinations or simply spend quality time with family at home. Moreover, the weather at the end of 2023 is expected to be sunny.

Excitement for the long break is bubbling among Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) students, with many itching to travel or head back to their hometowns. Rahmat, a 20-year-old Informatics Engineering Education student, has already got his holiday plans mapped out.

“The plan is that I will go to Madiun to pick up my friend, after which we will vacation in Jogja for a week,” said Rahmat.

Just like Rahmat, 22-year-old Dentistry student Nada also has big plans for her long vacation. She's setting her sights on an international competition.

“I planned this extended holiday for an innovation competition in Thailand. However, typically during such long breaks, I prefer returning home to Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan," Nada explained.

Despite the excitement of the Nataru long holiday, the resurgence of Covid-19 in various regions in Indonesia has become a cause for concern. While some are worried, there are those who have come to peace with the situation, easing the anxiety in their minds.

“Actually, don't overthink it and don't let it bother you, because it won't even feel like a vacation if you spend your time worrying about it,” Rahmat jokingly remarked.

Nada echoed a similar sentiment, expressing no concerns about the emergence of the new Covid variant JN.1. She asserts that she has adopted health protocols as part of her lifestyle. Despite the rising number of Covid-19 cases, Nada plans to proceed with her travels as scheduled. In her view, people must now learn to coexist with Covid-19.

“Since the virus cannot be detected through our eyes, we must take precautions. I've been vaccinated for Covid-19, and I still wear a mask when traveling, wash my hands regularly, and take vitamins to boost my immune system amidst my busy daily activities,” said Nada. “We must adhere to health protocols wherever and whenever.”

 The Ministry of Health report of December 21, 2023 noted that the total active cases of Covid-19 reached 2,761 cases.

In addition, the Ministry of Health has announced the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19 at various locations in Indonesia. According to the December 21, 2023 edition of CNN Indonesia.com, the total number of cases of the latest Covid variant has reached 41, with reported instances in South Jakarta, East Jakarta, and Batam, Riau Islands.

So what are the right steps to address the findings of the Covid-19 case variant JN.1? 

Amidst the busy schedules of the lecturers, we made an effort to reach out to Noor Alis Setiyadi, S.K.M., M.K.M., Ph.D., a lecturer in Public Health study program at UMS, to seek clarity regarding the outbreak of the latest Covid-19 variant. Mr. Noor, disclosed that this variant is a sublineage of the Covid variant Omicron BA.2.86.

Although this variant is relatively new, Noor Alis said the risk to the body infected with Covid JN.1 is fairly low.

“According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Covid JN.1 variant poses a low risk. Despite the higher number of cases associated with this variant, the overall risk is not significant,” He clarified when contacted via WhatsApp on Thursday (21/12).

According to Kompas.com, (20/12/2023), Covid JN.1 was first detected in Luxembourg and spread throughout Europe such as England, Portugal, Spain, to Iceland. This virus was also detected in the United States and continues to spread to our country.

Covid-19 mutations have occurred multiple times, dating back to the 2020 pandemic. Noor Alis explained that mutation is a survival strategy for the virus, adapting to environmental conditions in which it thrives.

“When they are in a different environment, they have to adapt. Viruses are living things that want to survive,” he explains.

The lecturer said the virus can only live by relying on its host. Unlike bacteria that can live in the wild.

“The virus will live in its host. Unlike bacteria such as tuberculosis (TB) which can live in the wild. For Covid, it can only live in its host,” continued Noor Alis.

In addition to its low risk, the JN.1 variant also has very common symptoms. Noor Alis said the symptoms of Covid JN.1 are like the symptoms of the common cold.

“The symptoms are similar (to the common cold) and there are almost no specific symptoms. The symptoms are mild and do not pose a severe risk,” he explained.

Symptoms experienced by Covid JN.1 patients include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Fever
• Loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Brain fog (feeling less awake and aware)
• Shortness of breath
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain and diarrhea).

When assessing the symptoms in Covid JN.1 patients, they appear to be relatively mild. However, Noor Alis cautioned individuals with comorbidities to exercise caution. Comorbid diseases carry the risk of exacerbating the body's condition when exposed to Covid JN.1.

“If someone has comorbidities such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension, they must exercise caution because these underlying disease can worsen the body's condition when exposed to the virus,” he emphasized

He explained that the body affected by the virus will automatically attempt to fight it. When the virus enters the body of individuals with comorbid diseases, the body becomes overwhelmed in fighting the virus, as existing diseases demand greater antibody performance for the healing process.

"We have to understand our bodies," Noor Alis continued.

Although Covid variant JN.1 has entered Indonesia, Noor Alis emphasized that people should not worry too much. At the same time, Noor Alis also emphasized not to underestimate this virus.

“Take it easy, don't be overly anxious or stressed. Don't act hastily because we are human and have vulnerabilities. Maybe when the virus hits, our condition might be weak. However, we shouldn't be too afraid because we have Allah who will protect us,” reassured Noor.

He invited the entire community to re-implement health protocols and clean and healthy living behaviors. The lecturer regretted that hand washing facilities in various locations began to be abandoned. In fact, washing hands is a simple effort to fight various diseases including Covid JN.1.

“If we observe, masks are still widely used. However, a closer look and you will find many hand washing stations in various locations have started to disappear. I encourage all organizations that previously had hand washing stations to reactivate them,” urged Noor Alis.

In addition to the re-implementation of the health protocols, the government is reviewing further booster vaccines in anticipation of Covid JN.1. Quoting the Ministry of Health's statement on Detik.com, (13/12/2023), the government is currently reviewing the third dose of booster vaccination. The plan is that this booster vaccination will target vulnerable groups and the elderly. 

Responding to the news of the booster vaccine, Noor Alis said that the public must examine the type of vaccine to be used, its halalness, and its expiration date. “Of course if the government prepares a booster it is the best for its people,” he said.

“The effectiveness of the booster vaccine varies depending on the individual's physique,” concluded Noor Alis.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid