[UPDATED] Health Ministry detects 58 more Omicron cases, 39 from Saudi Arabia 

KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has detected another 58 cases of the new Omicron variant in the country, with a majority of them being imported cases from Saudi Arabia, said its minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Out of the number of new Omicron variant cases detected, Khairy said 54 of them are imported cases, while four of them are locally transmitted cases in Kedah. 

“Of the 54 import cases, 39 were from Saudi Arabia, seven from United Arab Emirates, four from the United Kingdom, two from Nigeria, and one from Kazakhstan and France respectively,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the four local cases were believed to have contracted the coronavirus from an umrah pilgrim who was Omicron-positive.

“The four Omicron cases were reported in Kedah today (January 4). All four of the cases are close contacts with a Covid-19 Omicron variant case who returned from performing umrah in Saudi Arabia on December 12, 2021, and was confirmed positive for the variant on December 24, 2021.

“The four individuals were exposed on December 13, 2021, and all of them started showing category 2 symptoms on December 17, 2021.

“All of them are currently being treated at Hospital Sg Abdul Halim in Sungai Petani, Kedah for 14 days.”

With the latest detection, Khairy said this brings the cumulative number of Omicron cases in the country to 122 cases. 

“From this number, 117 cases were import cases, while the remaining five cases are locally transmitted cases. 

“From the total of Omicron cases recorded so far, 71 (58.2%) cases are umrah returnees.”

Khairy, who is also Rembau MP, said that PCR genotyping assay tests conducted by the Institute of Medical Research on 1,774 Covid-19 positive cases among travellers who arrived in Malaysia between December 1 to 31 found that 1,220 (68.8%) samples showed presumptive signs of the Omicron variant.

“From the 1,220 presumptive Omicron variants, 928 (76.1%) involved travellers from Saudi Arabia.”

In addition, Khairy also urged those who have been ordered to undergo mandatory quarantine to continue complying with instructions by staying in a separate room and not to meet with other family members or individuals.

He stressed that failure to comply with the instructions will result in further transmission of Covid-19 infections, including the Omicron variant, to family members and the community.

“The Health Ministry would like to advise those who are eligible to be vaccinated with the Covid-19 vaccine booster dose to achieve the optimal level of protection and prevent severe Covid-19 infection and its complications.”

Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the cabinet will have a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the suspension of umrah travel announced by the Health Ministry in view of the threat posed by the new variant.

Ismail Sabri said Khairy will table a detailed report on the issue. – The Vibes, January 4, 2022