KUCHING, Dec 3: Malaysia recorded its first new Omicron (B.1.1.529) Covid-19 variant today.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the case involved a 19-year-old foreign student from South Africa who arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) entry point through Singapore on Nov 19, 2021.
“The case was given a quarantine order under Section 15 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) and traveled from KLIA to Ipoh using a bus provided by his university before undergoing compulsory quarantine at accommodation provided by the institution.
“The case underwent quarantine alone at the designated place and based on the investigation conducted, he complied with the order issued. The case had also been fully vaccinated and does not show any symptoms,” he said in a statement today.
Khairy further said the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) has confirmed the screening test sample was positive for Covid-19 with a CT Value of 26.68 on Nov 20.
“The case continued in isolation in the same house for 10 days and was granted discharge on Nov 29.
“We have detected all five close contacts to the case involving bus passengers and driver. They have undergone Covid-19 screening test and mandatory quarantine. All the first and second sample tests on all close contacts were confirmed negative,” he added.
Following this, Khairy said all travelers entering Malaysia from high risk countries at the KLIA entry point will be given a digital tracker device throughout their quarantine period.
Meanwhile, travelers participating in the Langkawi tourism bubble are required to undergo a professional Covid-19 RTK antigen test on the third and fifth day from their date of arrival.
On the other hand, there will be no changes in procedure for travelers arriving from Singapore via vaccinated travel lane (VTL).
Khairy also mentioned that temporary travel restrictions are maintained for eight previously identified countries.
He also urged those who have yet to receive Covid-19 vaccines to do so and reminded those scheduled to receive their booster dose to keep their appointments.
At the same time, he informed that the Ministry has started conducting PCR Genotyping Assay tests on all positive samples screened at KLIA entry points.
Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the variant of concern (VOC) Omicron on Nov 24, 2021, IMR has began conducting PCR Genotyping Assay testing on all positive samples screened at KLIA’s international gateway as an additional initiative to continuous study of whole genome sequencing (WGS). — DayakDaily
