Health Minister: No Reports of Deaths Linked to New Covid-19 Subvariant in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Budi Gunadi Sadikin, the Indonesian Health Minister, claimed there are no reports of deaths due to the new wave of Covid-19 in Indonesia. Currently, a new subvariant of Covid-19 is spreading in the Southeast Asia region and has entered the country.

Budi responded to questions from journalists regarding Covid-19 mortality reports while attending the inauguration of the new board of the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI) at the Sultan Hotel, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. "No reports yet," said Budi on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Budi acknowledges the surge in Covid-19 cases in Indonesia, but the number is not yet significant. Budi, however, did not disclose the latest number of Covid-19 spread.

Nevertheless, Budi acknowledged that there are still people who have not undergone Covid-19 lab tests despite experiencing symptoms such as coughing or feeling unwell.

This condition makes it difficult to accurately calculate the number of Covid-19 patients in Indonesia.

Budi urged the public not to worry about the new subvariant of Covid-19 entering Indonesia. "Because this variant is Omicron, which is weak," he said.

"Frequently wash your hands, wear a mask, maintain social distance, and if your friends are coughing, just keep your distance," said Budi.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted an increase in the spread of the Covid-19 from the NB.1.8.1 variant since mid-February 2025. This increase was mainly observed in countries in the eastern Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the western Pacific.

According to the WHO, the increase in reporting cases of NB.1.8.1 infections occurred after the global trend of the SARS-CoV-2 variant LP.8.1 decreased. "NB.1.8.1, a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM), is increasing, reaching 10.7% of global sequences reported as of mid-May," stated the WHO report released on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

A number of countries in the Southeast Asia region have experienced an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases since late May 2025. Countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong reported a significant surge in cases. This situation has prompted these countries to strengthen pandemic control measures in their respective regions.

In response to these developments, the Ministry of Health took anticipatory measures by issuing a circular letter in late May. 

Michelle Gabriela contributed to the writing of this article

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