[UPDATED] Malaysia records another Omicron case: health minister

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has recorded yet another case involving the Omicron variant following detection on December 14, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today.

In confirming the second Omicron case in the country, Khairy said another 18 cases are suspected to be of the same variant based on the first line of screening.

“We are currently awaiting the second line of confirmatory testing involving whole genome sequencing.

“The results are expected by tomorrow,” he said during a press conference at Parliament today.

Khairy – who is also Rembau MP – said the confirmed Omicron case involves a Malaysian girl aged eight, who recently returned from Lagos, Nigeria.

“She lives with her family in Lagos. Prior to departure to Malaysia, her RT-PCR test results were negative.

“She arrived in Malaysia with her mother and younger sister on December 5 from Lagos via a transit flight in Doha, Qatar. Upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, they took a Covid-19 RT-PCR test and were ordered to undergo compulsory quarantine at home.

“The girl’s Covid-19 test results came back negative on December 7. She had no symptoms, and was instructed to undergo isolation at home for 14 days.”

Khairy said those in close contact with the individual were her mother, younger sister, father, and the taxi driver who drove the family from the airport to their home.

“Her mother and sister have tested negative on the day of arrival, the fifth day, and the 11th day, while an RT-PCR test is being conducted on the taxi driver.

“All three of them do not exhibit symptoms, and have been ordered to undergo quarantine for 14 days.

“Her father arrived in the country on December 12, and is currently undergoing quarantine in a private station. His RT-PCR test results upon arrival had been negative,” Khairy said.

He noted 35 passengers in contact with the positive case – having been in the plane with her – also tested negative so far.

“As such, Nigeria has entered the list of high-risk countries – making the number of high-risk countries at nine now. Travellers from Nigeria will have to wear a digital tracking device,” he said.

The nine countries comprise the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, France, Norway, Canada, India, and Nigeria.

Malaysia had detected its first Omicron case in a South African student aged 19, who arrived from Singapore on November 19. 

Legitimately studying in Malaysia, the individual had returned after visiting his family in South Africa. 

Boosters a must for Sinovac recipients, those aged 60 and above

In light of the detection of a second Omicron case in the country, Khairy said individuals fully vaccinated with Sinovac – as well as those aged 60 and above already double-jabbed – must take a booster shot by February in order to maintain their statuses. 

“If these individuals still do not acquire a booster shot after February next year, their vaccination status will be changed to incomplete and they are not eligible to enjoy facilities provided to fully inoculated recipients,” he said.

He added that mega vaccination centres will be reopened, starting in the Klang Valley, to speed up administration of booster shots. – The Vibes, December 16, 2021