MIRI – Three cases involving the BA.2 lineage, described as a more aggressive form of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, have been detected in Kapit, Sarawak.
The medical update follows the case detection by the Institute of Health and Community Medicine at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (IHCM-UNIMAS) recently.
Institute head Prof Dr David Perera today said more Omicron cases have been detected in Sarawak, aside from the Delta variant.
“Out of 58 Covid-19 positive cases we had taken for sampling from January 3 to 26 in the state, we found that 78% of them are of the Omicron variant while the others are Delta.
“Omicron is now the dominant variant circulating now via community transmission.
“The variant was detected in samples from infections in Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Kapit, Mukah and Miri,” he said in a press statement.
Dr Perera said the majority of the Omicron cases detected are from the BA.1.1 lineage but three cases in Kapit are from the more aggressive BA.2 lineage.
He warned that the public must continue to obey all SOPs strictly in public such as wearing facemasks, observing physical distancing and taking personal hygiene measures.
“Booster shots are also crucial due to waning immunity,” he said.
He urged those who have yet to get their vaccine booster jab to do so at the soonest.
Dr Perera added that IHCM-UNIMAS has since forwarded the latest findings to the state Disaster Management Committee. – The Vibes, February 6, 2022
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