KUCHING, July 8: The first Covid-19 positive case involving the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) has been detected in Sarawak.
A 56-year-old man from here was detected to have the variant on June 18, 2021. His case is classified as Import B case.
A statement from the Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM) of the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) revealed that besides this variant, positive cases involving the Beta (B.1.351) and the Theta (P.3) variants have also been detected.
IHMC director Prof Dr David Perera said the detection was the result of Unimas’ ongoing tracking and surveillance of SARS-COV-2 variants in the State.
According to him, a cumulative total of 59 cases involving Variants of Concern (VOCs) and Variants of Interest (VOIs) have been detected in positive cases up to June 26, 2021.
The Delta variant was first detected in India while the Beta, in South Africa and the Theta, in the Philippines.
Dr Perera said there were 34 cases detected in Kuching for the Beta variant, three in Bau and one each in Lundu, Serian, Simunjan and Sibu.
There were three other cases categorised as Import B under the same variant.
Meanwhile, for the Theta variant, Dr Perera said six cases have been detected in Kuching and seven in Kota Samarahan.
There is also one case of the Eta variant (B.1.525) which was an import A case. — DayakDaily
