Indonesia detects more infectious coronavirus mutation, as cases continue to rise
- The infectious but milder D614G mutation of the virus has been found in genome sequencing data. It has also been detected in Singapore and Malaysia
- Indonesia reported 2,858 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, as epidemiological models suggest the country will have 500,000 cases by the end of the year
Indonesia reported 2,858 new infections on Sunday, data by the health ministry showed, below the previous day’s record 3,308 but above the past month’s daily average. Its total number of cases was 172,053, with 7,343 Covid-19 fatalities.
The “infectious but milder” D614G mutation of the virus has been found in genome sequencing data from samples collected by the institute, deputy director Herawati Sudoyo told Reuters, adding that more study is required to determine whether that was behind the recent rise in cases.
The strain, which the World Health Organisation said was identified in February and has been circulating in Europe and the Americas, has also been found in neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia.
Syahrizal Syarif, an epidemiologist with the University of Indonesia, warned Indonesians must remain vigilant, as his modelling suggests the country may see its caseload rise to 500,000 by the end of the year.