Compliance with the health protocols can help prevent the spread of new COVID-19 variants such as Omicron, XBB, and XBC, chairperson of the COVID-19 task force of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), Erlina Burhan, has said.

“Mutations can occur, but new variants can still be avoided by applying the health protocols, getting the vaccine, wearing masks properly, cleaning hands with hand sanitizers or water and soap, covering the mouth and nose with the elbow or a tissue when coughing, self-isolating if the COVID-19 test result is positive or symptomatic,” she added here on Thursday.

Regarding vaccination, she said that the development of a bivalent vaccine could be considered given that the XBC is a recombination of Delta and Omicron BA.2 variants and the XBB is a recombinant variant of two Omicron sublineages.

“Under certain conditions, there is a risk of clinical worsening (Delta) and increased transmission (Omicron BA.2),” she said.

Burhan also outlined some of the symptoms that are characteristic of the XBB and XBC variants that have spread in a number of countries, including Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines.

She said the symptoms of XBB and XBC are similar to COVID-19 symptoms in general and include fever, cough, weakness, tightness in breathing, headache, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

“To date, there have been no official scientific reports stating XBB and XBC cause more severe symptoms of COVID-19,” she added.

She asked the government to anticipate the trend of rising cases, especially ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“Then, increase booster vaccination coverage, improve distribution or logistics of drugs and vaccines, and promote the hygiene and healthy living program,” Burhan said.

Meanwhile, she advised the community to follow the health protocols and take a test if they experience symptoms related to COVID-19.

Source: Antara News