Omicron Subvariants Kraken and XBB: What is the Level of COVID-19 Infection in Indonesia?

Although its transmission rate has decreased, the Covid-19 virus continues to mutate. Most recently, the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant, often called "Kraken," has emerged.

Quoting the *Express* on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, experts believe Omicron XBB.1.5 or Kraken has the potential to be more contagious than other Covid-19 variants.

In early January 2023, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 40% of Covid-19 cases in the country were the Kraken variant. This Omicron sub-variant has also been identified in 70 countries, including the United Kingdom.

However, according to Siti Nadia Tarmizi, Head of the Public Communication and Service Bureau at the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the government has not yet found a single case of the Kraken variant in Indonesia.

Based on reports from the Covid-19 Handling Task Force, the infection rate or positivity rate of Covid-19 in Indonesia has also continued to decline in recent weeks.

The national weekly Covid-19 positivity rate in the second week of January 2023 was recorded at 1.86%, significantly lower than the first week of November 2022, as shown in the graph.

Although the Kraken variant has not been detected in Indonesia, the Ministry of Health urges the public to remain vigilant.

"We are strengthening genomic surveillance and monitoring new cases. It is recommended to continue wearing masks if you are sick," said Nadia.