MIRI – A subvariant of the Delta strain has been detected in Sarawak as the state continues to struggle to keep Covid-19 cases under control.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s Institute of Health and Community Medicine head Prof Dr David Perera said the latest subvariant is known as the Delta AY.23, and that the State Disaster Management Committee has been informed.
“The Delta AY.23 subvariant found in Sarawak is the same type that is fuelling the surge in Covid-19 cases in Singapore.
“The AY.23 in Sarawak was found among the 780 Delta cases we had last month. This is the dominant variant circulating in Sarawak now,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Perera said that aside from AY.23, the institute also recorded an AY.24 subvariant in Kuching, Miri and Sibu, AY.33 in Bintulu, AY.34 in Bintulu and Samarahan, and AY.37 in Kuching.
The AY.23 is most infectious as evidenced by the spread of infection in Singapore, he added.
Dr Perera said the institute will continue to carry out more sampling and testing of the coronavirus cases in Sarawak as the state has the highest Delta transmission in the country. – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
