UNS — A number of Faculty of Medical Science alumni, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta as a member of IKA UNS, organize a discussion on the mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The discussion is conducted virtually through the Zoom Cloud Meeting, Wednesday (19/5/2021). The invited speakers are dr. M. Syahril Mansyur, who currently serves as the President Director of the RSPI Sulianti Saroso, Jakarta, and dr. Pompini Agustina is a doctor working in the RSPI Sulianti Saroso. Both are alumni of FK UNS.
The discussion entitled ‘the New Variant of SARS-CoV-2, Vaccines, and Second Wave Awareness’ is motivated by the second wave spike of Covid-19 cases in several countries such as India, Philippines, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapura, and Thailand. Four out of the seven countries with the highest Covid-19 cases are located in South East Asia Region. dr. M. Syahril Mansyur explains that there is a possibility that there will be a spike in the second wave Covid-19 cases in Indonesia. He mentioned several factors that can induce the second wave, among others, are the community discipline in complying with the Covid-19 protocol, mass meeting that causes crowd, more contagious new variant, and the minimum vaccine coverage.
Since December 2020, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 was detected in Inggris. The same variant is detected in Indonesia in March 2021. “The more infections in a population will increase the probability of the virus mutation,” said dr. Pompini Agustina.
Other than the new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and awareness on the second wave, the long covid complaints suffered by Covid-19 survivors also need to be considered. dr. M. Syahril Mansyur reveals that 63.5% of Covid-19 survivors in Indonesia experiencing long Covid symptoms, ranging from fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and others. “The long Covid is a symptom that symptoms that disappear after a long period of time, after a person becomes a survivor of Covid,” dr. M. Syahril Mansyur explains.
Experience on the long covid symptoms is revealed by dr. Khoirul Hadi. An alumnus of FK UNS states that a month after tested negative for Covid-19, he felt symptoms of long covid such as weakness, uncomfortable breathing, and a decrease in his capability to do cycling.
The mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 becomes a challenge for all Indonesian citizens, both in the government sector or the general public. dr. M. Syahril Mansyur explains that the Covid-19 pandemic will end sooner when all the stakeholders are involved in the effort to overcome the main concern of the Covid-19 pandemic. Other than the mutation, the establishment of vaccines and drugs for Covid-19 treatment, community attitude, and the detection of SARS-COV-2 become additional concerns.
“As academicians, we can contribute to the development of drugs and vaccines,” dr. M. Syahril Mansyur added. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti