BA.4, BA.5 Variants Make Up 81 pct of Current Covid Cases: Health Minister

The Jakarta Globe
July 4, 2022 | 3:02 pm
SHARE
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin (Antara Photo)
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin (Antara Photo)

Jakarta. BA.4 and BA.5 have become the dominant Covid-19 variants in Indonesia where the number of new cases picks up growth again, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Monday.

"I need to explain that 81 percent of all Covid-19 cases in Indonesia are BA.4 and BA.5 variants, so it’s not the case of Jakarta alone. In Jakarta, 100 percent of cases are BA.4 and BA.5," Budi said after a cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta.

He claimed that the latest wave of Covid-19 infections caused by the new subvariants of Omicron remains under control.

"Our message is the same: mask wearing is mandatory in indoor activities but you can put off masks in outdoor settings as long as you don’t get into a crowd. If you are ill, keep wearing a mask,” Budi said.

Advertisement

The minister also encourages people to get the booster dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 ahead of the Islamic holidays of Idul Adha this weekend.

Nearly 170 million Indonesian citizens have received double doses of the vaccine but only around 50 million took the booster dose already.

Indonesia reported the first local transmission of the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages of the Omicron Covid-19 variant in Jakarta on June 13. 

The BA.4 and BA.5 are believed to be less likely to result in hospitalization or death compared to Delta and Omicron. 

The minister has said that the country will likely see the new sub-variants peak in the second or third week of this month. 

Indonesia recorded 1,614 new cases on Sunday, bringing the national tally to 6.09 million cases since the pandemic began. The total number of active cases stands at 16,919, according to Health Ministry data.

Covid-19 has killed 156,749 people in Indonesia since the first cases were reported in March 2020.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News Jun 4, 2025 | 9:40 am

No Need to Panic Over Recent COVID-19 Spike, Health Minister Says

Health Minister Budi Sadikin says recent COVID-19 variants in Indonesia are not deadly, urges public to stay calm and follow health protocol
News Jun 3, 2025 | 5:28 pm

Indonesia on Alert as Prabowo Responds to COVID-19 Uptick

President Prabowo summons Health Minister Budi amid rising COVID-19 cases. Public urged to stay calm and follow basic health precautions.
News May 27, 2025 | 5:38 pm

Sweden Helps Indonesia Treat Cancer with $940,360 Grant

The Swedish grant will go into funding a feasibility study for the development of a radiotherapy center at Dharmais Cancer Hospital.
Lifestyle May 15, 2025 | 2:28 am

'I’m Not Body Shaming': Health Minister Explains Viral Pant Size Comment

Budi explained that his intention was to help the public understand the dangers of abdominal obesity without relying on technical language.
News May 9, 2025 | 7:02 pm

What Made Indonesia Say Yes to Testing Bill Gates' TB Vaccine

Indonesia joins Phase 3 trials for Gates-backed TB vaccine M72, aiming to save lives and produce the shot locally by 2028.
News Apr 30, 2025 | 4:15 am

Health Minister Slams High Cost and Bureaucracy of Medical Specialty Certification

A study by the University of Indonesia revealed that total specialty training costs could reach Rp 2.2 billion ($131,537).
News Apr 11, 2025 | 9:20 pm

Govt to Mandate Mental Health Screenings for Medical Residents After Sexual Assault Case

Indonesia to mandate mental health checks for medical residents after a rape case involving a Padjadjaran University doctor in training.
News Mar 6, 2025 | 11:23 pm

Health Minister Seeks KPK Oversight on Major Healthcare Projects

The Health Ministry has secured a Rp 60 trillion ($3.7 billion) loan from the World Bank to strengthen the country’s health infrastructure.
News Feb 11, 2025 | 7:09 pm

Health Minister Says BPJS Premiums ‘Must Increase’ Amid Rp 9 Trillion Deficit

BPJS Kesehatan Chairman Abdul Kadir revealed that the agency suffered a deficit of Rp 9.56 trillion ($583.5 million).
News Feb 6, 2025 | 11:43 am

Health Ministry Has to Cut $1.2 Billion After Prabowo Orders Budget Trims

The Health Ministry initially gets to spend Rp 105.7 trillion this year.

The Latest


Business 26 minutes ago

Achmad Ardianto Appointed as New President Director of Antam

Achmad brings with him an extensive background in state-owned enterprises and human capital leadership.
News 1 hours ago

Prabowo to Fly to Singapore for Leaders’ Retreat with Wong Next Week

Investments are set to become a major talking point when Prabowo meets Singapore's Lawrence Wong on Monday.
News 2 hours ago

KPK Links Rp 1.2 Trillion Papua Graft to Private Jet, Airline Boss Fails to Show Up

KPK links Rp 1.2t Papua graft to private jet purchase, but RDG Airlines boss Gibbrael Isaak skips summons. Agency urges him to cooperate.
News 2 hours ago

Over 90% of Malaria Cases Found in Papua, Health Ministry Says

Indonesia’s malaria fight faces hurdles from high case loads in Papua, mobile populations, and rising zoonotic transmission, officials warn.
News 3 hours ago

Indonesian Pilgrims Win Praise for Orderly Hajj

Indonesian Hajj pilgrims received widespread praise for their orderliness and discipline during the pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED