JAKARTA: The Indonesian Health Ministry confirmed the finding of cases of transmission of COVID-19 with the variant JN.1 in Jakarta and Batam City, Riau Islands Province.

The ministry's Director General of Disease Prevention and Control, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, stated on Tuesday that one case each of the infection with the JN.1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 type coronavirus was found in South Jakarta on Nov 11, in East Jakarta on Nov 23, and in Batam on Dec 13, reported ANTARA.

The JN.1 variant of the coronavirus is closely related to the BA.2.86 variant. It is predicted to affect the transmission pattern and severity of COVID-19.

Rondonuwu stated that according to reports as of Dec 18, 2023, two cases of mortality due to COVID-19 were recorded at Dr Mohammad Hoesin Hospital in Palembang and Tarakan Regional Hospital.

"One patient, who died, had been vaccinated twice and had comorbidities. The other one had never been vaccinated and had a lung infection," he remarked.

However, he confirmed the two mortality cases were not caused by the JN.1 variant.

In addition, the other mortality case due to COVID-19 infection at Sulianto Saroso Hospital, Jakarta, was not caused by infection with the JN.1 variant.

"A patient, who died at Sulianto Saroso Hospital, was not infected with the JN.1 variant," he stated.

According to the report on the development of COVID-19 transmission published by the government on Dec 18, 2023, there were 2,243 new cases of COVID-19 transmission with two deaths in Indonesia.

The ministry urges people to complete the COVID-19 vaccination to avoid the risk of disease transmission ahead of the 2023 Christmas and New Year holidays when their movements are increasing.

"People are advised to immediately complete their COVID-19 vaccination at the nearest health service facility at the community health centre or Port Health Office. Do not delay the vaccination," he emphasised.

--BERNAMA-ANTARA