Delta variant found in 95% of genome samples tested

 

Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin says no Mu or Lambda variant has been detected in genome sequencing carried out so far. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Genome sequencing has been carried out on 1,312 Covid-19 samples, of which 1,246 or 95% were found with the Delta variant, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the remainder were 11 Beta variants and 55 non-variants of concerns (VOC).

“We did not detect any Mu or Lambda variants,” he said when replying to Azizah Mohd Dun (PN-Beaufort), who wanted to know the measures taken to curb new variants.

Khairy also said additional funds amounting to RM13.9 million will be allocated to carry out genome sequencing to analyse different variants.

Stringent checks at entry points into the country will include Covid-19 screenings on arrival and a 14-day mandatory quarantine at home or at dedicated centres, he said.

International passengers must be tested for Covid-19 three days before flying in, and quarantine may be extended to 21 days depending on the results of the test on the 14th day. - FMT