In the past few months, the newly discovered Omicron mutation that was first identified in South Africa has since spread across the globe at a truly staggering pace, leaving many countries racing to update their COVID-19 response in order to help combat its transmission. Similarly in Malaysia, the number of Omicron cases detected has also increased exponentially since the first indecent was found on 3rd December 2021.
Over 245 Omicron cases have been detected in Malaysia
During his latest press conference today, Malaysian Health Minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin has revealed that the country has to date, detected a total of over 245 COVID-19 cases that have been identified to contain the Omicron strain. Of the 245 cases, 233 are imported from abroad, while 12 are locally transmitted cases. From the total number of imported cases, 157, or 64% of those cases originated from pilgrims who have returned from conducting their umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
In addition, results obtained from PCR Genotyping Essays conducted by IMR on 1,774 COVID-19 positive cases from those who have returned from abroad to Malaysia between 1st and 31st December 2021 indicate that as many as over 1,220 individuals, or 69% from the total number of samples tested, have been identified as presumptive Omicron variant carriers.
Out of this figure, 928 individuals, or 70% from the total number of samples tested, have been obtained from those returning from Saudi Arabia.
YB Khairy Jamaluddin has also taken the opportunity to show his vaccination certificate on MySejahtera to members of press, after doubts were raised over the veracity of his vaccination status in light of a fake screenshot which allegedly claims he had not completed his vaccine doses.
All travel for the purposes of making umrah pilgrimages will be temporarily suspended
These results come after the Ministry of Health has declared that all travel for the purposes of conducting umrah pilgrimages will be temporarily suspended in light of the current spread of the Omicron variant, which has proven to be more transmissible. The suspension of travel for the purposes of conducting umrah pilgrimages will continue for a month for the purposes of conducting risk assessment.
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