MOH: Omicron has reached Malaysia

 

COVID-19 | The Health Ministry today revealed that it has detected the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus in Malaysia.

This was confirmed yesterday based on a sample taken from a foreign student who entered the country on Nov 19.

The student from South Africa was then reportedly shuttled on a university bus from KLIA to Ipoh where she underwent quarantine.

The next day on Nov 20 she got her test results back saying she was positive for Covid-19.

Five others who were also on the bus were then immediately placed under quarantine.

The student completed her quarantine on Nov 29.

At a press conference today, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (above) stressed that the student entered Malaysia before the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Omicron a variant of concern on Nov 26.

According to Khairy, following the announcement MOH started conducting PCR Genotyping tests on all positive samples that were taken from travellers who arrived at KLIA.

These include positive samples that were taken before WHO's announcement, as far back as Nov 11.

"The Institute for Medical Research (IMR) conducted PCR Genotyping Assay test on 74 Covid-19 positive samples that were detected in KLIA between Nov 11 and 28. This test was carried out so that we could get early results on types of variants.

"The outcome of this exercise saw that one of the samples was suspected to be of the Omicron variant of concern. Genomic sequencing was then conducted and it came back positive for Omicron on Dec 2 (yesterday)," said the minister.

MOH investigation revealed that the student who tested positive for Omicron has followed all quarantine procedures that were required on her.

Khairy said the ministry has identified a total of eight close contacts, including those who travelled together with the case from KLIA to Ipoh.

They have been tested negative before the Omicron finding, but MOH has called them back for another PCR test today to make sure to further confirm their health status.

[More to follow] - Mkini