MIRI – About one-third of new Covid-19 infections in Sarawak are now from the highly-contagious BA.5 Omicron subvariant, and is gaining momentum, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) said.
Unimas’ director of the Health and Community Medicine Institute, Prof Dr David Perera, urged Sarawakians to be wary of the spread within the community.
He said of 165 samples of infected patients tested since June 1, 32.8% had the BA.5 subvariant.
One case of another subvariant, BA.4, was also found, for the first time in Sarawak.
“There is a rapid increase in the infections involving subvariants BA.2, and BA.5 especially.
“Those who have not had their booster shot should get it fast, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities,” he said in a statement today.
On June 30, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had warned Sarawakians to brace themselves for another wave of Covid-19 Omicron subvariants.
The new Omicron subvariants of BA.2.12.1 and BA.5 already detected in Kuching and Sibu may mean that these highly infectious substrains are spreading among the community, he said then.
This situation is being fuelled by the fact that the state’s vast borders are already totally opened to the inflow of travellers, and that all standard operating procedures are now fully relaxed, he said.
Dr Sim had also urged those working in high-risk occupations to get their second booster jabs soonest.
The state’s minister for public health, housing and local government added that many countries have already been hit by a new wave of Covid-19 cases. – The Vibes, August 11, 2022
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