Indonesian govt confirms new Covid-19 subvariant ahead of year-end holidays

People wear masks as they walk on Dec. 8, 2023 along Jl. Thamrin in Jakarta. The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) has urged the public to follow the government’s Covid-19 health protocols amid an increase in infections since November. - Antara photo via Jakarta Post/ANN

JAKARTA (Jakarta Post/ANN): The Indonesian Health Ministry has confirmed the detection of the highly transmissible Covid-19 sublineage JN.1 in Indonesia, just as millions of people are set to embark on their year-end holiday travels.

According to disease control and prevention director general Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, the ministry had recorded at least 41 confirmed JN.1 cases as of earlier this week.